Disposable finger tongs for handling a food product

ABSTRACT

A disposal food handling finger tongs have finger pockets for grasping food. The pockets are connected by at least one connecting tab. At least one functional finger/thumb accommodation area is presented and at least one finger/thumb stability is optionally provided. The disposable tongs provide a triple protection to the user by providing soft irregular peripheral edges help prevent paper cuts. Also the central connecting tab between the two jaw pockets can be torn to separate the tongs into two tongs, so that the two food contact sides of the respective pockets can be folded against each other. Third, if both the front and back of pockets are messy, the clean central tab can be torn, and folded over the back and/or front of the messy pockets, thereby keeping the hands, fingers and/or thumb of the user clean during disposal.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No.13/939,070 filed Jul. 10, 2013, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,033,383 onMay 19, 2015. The '070 application is based upon provisional applicationSer. No. 61/741,052, filed Jul. 11, 2012, (the '052 application),61/741,657 filed Jul. 25, 2012, (the '657 application), 61/796,556,filed Nov. 12, 2012, (the '556 application), and 61/848,579, filed Jan.7, 2013 (the '579 application). Applicant claims priority fromapplication Ser. No. 13/939,070 under 35 USC §120. The '070 applicationclaims the benefit of the '52, '657, 556 and '579 provisionalapplications under 35 USC §119(e). These applications are incorporatedby reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to disposable finger food holder tongswith enhanced grabbing and reduced tearability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known prior art is the enclosed U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,928 of Wong whichdescribes finger food tons (“eating utensils”) with texturized surfaces,but they appear to be permanently attached, not attached manually insitu by adhesive stickers.

Disposable paper based finger food tongs are described in the Jones,U.S. Pat. No. 3,407,927. However, Jones merely discloses folding a sheetof paper or plastic material to form opposite pockets with mid-facingpocket openings, which are not sealed for sanitary use, and then heatsealing or adhesive gluing of the left and right ride edges of eachpocketed food holder before being cut into separate food holders. Jonesalso does not disclose adherable textured regions with free ends topermit pivoting.

Kaufman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,331,626, described finger tongs with opensided, unsealed pockets.

Known prior art also includes a loosely suspended ring that a thumb isinserted in, in a boxing glove, as noted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,595 ofAlpert. However, the loose thumb ring of Alpert '595 is not a fingerstability enhancing element, and does not constrict against the fingers,while still allowing the fingers to manipulate in using the tongs forholding objects, such as food, for example. Alpert required knottedwrist laces to hold the boxing glove on the hand. In contrast, in theabsence of Alpert's knotted wrist laces, Albert does not stabilize afinger or thumb in place in a pocket of an object, such as a foodgrabbing set of tongs. Also, in Alpert, the fingers are not free andindependent to manipulate an object.

Known prior art also includes a recent pending European patentapplication number WO 2012/117248 of Ly from the United Kingdom of GreatBritain which describes disposable paper finger tongs which are coatedand textured for better gripping. However, Ly does not show the use of acentral patch of adhesive on a central portion the back of the texturedsticker patch to reduce ripping caused by full surface adhesive pullingagainst thin paper tong material. Ly also has complicated pleats tocompress multiple folds to prevent unfolding of the pockets due to theresilient bias of his materials. However, Ly requires an extra-long axisof the material to accommodate the folded pleats, as is clearly shown inLy's FIG. 4, which excessively large areas 8 of adhesive, which are notrequired in the Applicant's present invention. Ly's fold lines aresolely for the folding, not for sealing off Ly's pockets prior to use.Also, Ly's perforations are for scoring the edges of the pocketedhandling implements, not for sealing off the finger insertion pocketsprior to use.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,439 of Goldberg describes forming a safety fringearound the edge of paper product sheets in general, but Goldberg doesnot describe heat or otherwise sealing of folded paper pockets. Goldbergdoes not describe any custom method of manufacturing fringes, such asheated knurling.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,541 B2 of Crawford describes a chewable tobacco orbotanical pouch made of porous paper with rounded, non-sharp smoothsealed edges 12 around various polygon or other shapes, but does notdescribe soft, injury preventive edges with irregular free endsextending beyond a seal parallel to, and in the vicinity of a peripheryof a finger(s)/thumb insertion pocket or strap of a set of tongs, topromote tearing. In fact, Crawford seals his tobacco pouch 14 with acontinuous, hardy smooth edged seal 12 that does not promote tearing ofthe pouch 14, because tearing will be detrimental to the contents in thepouch 14.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,842 of Chang describes a set of tongs with soft padsto clean eyeglass lenses, but the arms of the tongs do not contain anyfinger(s)/thumb insertion pockets or straps that can be used tomanipulated an object, such as, for example, a piece of food.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,143,276 of Nichols describes folding paper to formpockets, such as envelopes, with flaps to fold the containers. However,Nichols '276 does not describe forming finger insertion tongs withfinger(s)/thumb insertable pockets or straps, with unbonded peripheralfree ends of edges, used to make soft, injury preventive edges fortongs.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide disposablefinger food holder tongs with enhanced grabbing and reduced tearability.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide disposablefinger food holder tongs with optional texturization.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide strongdisposable finger food holder tongs with reduced tearingcharacteristics.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide disposablefinger food holder tongs with optional shell cracker accessories.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide disposablefinger food holder tongs with optional utensils.

Other objects which become apparent from the following description ofthe present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a combination finger food holder tongsset and surface texturizing set, which includes a set of tongs withfinger pockets, whereby the pockets are movable towards and away fromeach other for grasping an article of food; plus a plurality ofadhesively adherable or otherwise fastenable sticker substrates having afirst texture imparted side and an opposite adhesive bearing side with arelease liner, whereby the texture containing sticker is placed upon thefood engaging surface for manual grasping of articles of food.

For example, the finger accommodation areas, can be closed endedpockets, open ended pockets, a portion of a pocket, straps that a fingerin inserted behind, an in-between finger(s) vertically extending tabwall, an in-between finger(s) vertically extending wall shaped like anbeam, an in-between free finger(s) tabs in a pocket; an in-between freefinger(s) tab strap, and/or other recessed or dimpled areas, or,combinations thereof.

The disposable finger holding tongs for handling a food product includea strip of disposable flexible coated material having a central foldedregion. Distal ends of the strip form jaws of the tongs, with eachdistal end having a pocket to accommodate a finger, thumb or fingers ofa user. An optional removable seal covers the disposable finger tongsprior to use; and respective textured surfaces are provided on grabbingsurfaces of the jaws to assist in holding the food product. The texturedsurfaces may be crimped, embossed, coated or formed in the surface ofthe jaws of the tongs, or may be provided on adherable stickers orsubstrates attachable to the jaws of the tongs.

Optionally a one side edge of the strip has perforations so that thetongs are separable from an adjoining strip whereby a plurality of thestrips are formed from a single sheet of disposable flexible material,the strips being separable by the perforations. The perforations whenusing a single foldable sheet must be double perforation lines whichwill extend perpendicular to the axis of the aligned tongs, and locatedparallel to and close to the pocket mouth. The tong pockets each aresealed for sanitary purposes. When used, the perforation lined regionsare pulled to reveal the open pocket from under the sealed portion orpieced to hug around the finger.

Optionally each pocket contains an elastic or stretchable finger contactmember, such as a length of elastic or stretchable strap or ring insideand/or outside of the pockets of the tong jaws, for maintaining anopening into each pocket to assist in holding the tongs upon therespective fingers and thumb of the user.

However, it is further noted, that optionally, the set of tongs can haveone or more functional connecting tabs for their specific purposes ofconnecting the finger accommodating pockets or other fingeraccommodating areas connected by the one or more connecting tabs.

It is noted however, that there are two kinds of straps optionally usedin the present invention. First, straps can be open ended fingeraccommodating strap.

In contrast, the present invention also optionally includes fingerstability straps, in contrast to Alpert '595, where the straps hugand/or are connected in part or in frill, to an interior wall of thepockets of the set of tongs. Other finger stability elements can bethicker walls, a hole in the tab, a strap, a plurality straps, one ormore flexible straps, a pierceable seal in a pocket of a finger(s)/thumbaccommodating region, a pierceable seal at a mouth of a pocket offinger(s)/thumb accommodating region, a pierceable perforation around anopen mouth area in a pocket of finger(s)/thumb accommodating region,full stability wall with a separate material, a partial stability wallprepped onto an original material, a layered wall, a stretchable wall, adraw-string in a pocket of a jaw, a huggable pocket, a width allowancetab, a clip with a hook/ring ability, and/or combination thereof, or, inthe optional absence thereof, none of the above.

The edges of the set of tongs can optionally have injury preventivefeatures, such as soft, less sharp irregular edges including a featherededge, a perforated edge, a fragmented edge, a frayed edge, a segmentededge, a partially straight edge, a zig-zag edge, a teethed edge, aserrated edge, a jagged edge, a rounded teeth edge, a tearable edge, anedge such as described with reference to botany plants and leaves foredges; or, a combination thereof, or in the absence thereof, none of theabove. The purpose of the edge being irregular as noted above is that itreduces the peripheral surface portion touching the skin of the user.For example, with peaks and valleys, only the portion of the peaks andimmediate adjacent portions of the peripheral edge contact the skin ofthe user. A portion is removed in creating the peaks and valleys. Theother portions down in the valleys of the irregular edges do not allcontact the skin, if at all. The removed portion brings the peripheraledge down to a predetermined seal, to promote tearing at that point,where the valleys meet the seal. Unlike U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,541 B2 ofCrawford, the present invention describes a set of tongs made ofnon-porous paper with soft, irregular, non-smooth sealed edges aroundthe set of tongs, with soft, injury preventive edges with irregular freeends extending beyond a seal parallel to, and in the vicinity of aperiphery of a finger(s)/thumb insertion pocket or strap of a set oftongs, to promote tearing.

Optionally, at least one of the jaws has a food handling tool extendingfrom a bottom end or other position place thereof, such as a fork,knife, spoon or chopsticks.

The tongs are formed from a sheet of flexible material, such as, but notlimited to, paper, plastic, fabric or combinations thereof, in whichstrips of the flexible material form respective tongs, in which a sideedge of the strip has perforations so that the tongs are separable froman adjoining strip whereby a plurality of the strips are formed from thesingle sheet of disposable flexible material, the strips being separableat the perforations. Optionally, one of the jaws has separate pocketsadapted for individual fingers of a user.

The tongs may also be adapted to be stackable.

The textured substrates or stickers optionally include a textured foodengaging side and an opposite tong engaging side, the opposite tongengaging side having a centralized adhesive region surrounded by anon-adhesive peripheral region with pivotable free ends, which are notcontacting the opposite tong engaging side, to reduce the possibility ofthe adhesive pulling and ripping the tongs during use.

In another alternate embodiment, the sticker is attached to an elasticor stretchable ring, the elastic or stretchable ring being insertableover a respective tong of the tongs for engaging the sticker to thetong. Optionally the length of strip or ring (which optionally may beformed from two strips joined at the ends to form a closed ring) iselastic, so that when the finger enters the elastic expands and thentightly retracts upon the finger, whereas if the ring or strip(s) areinstead stretchable, they will stretch when the finger is contracted,but will not retract thereafter.

In yet another embodiment, the sticker further comprises athree-dimensional C-side shaped immovable jaw member having a set ofoverhanging immovable jaws and ridges on the top and bottom innersurfaces thereof. The set of tongs may also have an accessory shellcracker or utensil bearing toy removably attachable to thethree-dimensional C-side shaped immovable jaw member.

The disposable tongs may be produced by the method of coating a flatsheet of paper with a pre-perforated top layer, heat sealing the paperand, a) cutting the sheet at peripheral edges to form individual tongs,or b) tearing the sheet at the perforated regions, also at peripheraledges, to form individual tongs, and providing the tongs thus formedwith textured food grabbing surfaces.

It is noted, however, that in a preferred optional embodiment, the tongsof the present invention also may have other perforations which areperpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the tongs, at least in the midconnecting tab region where the open mouths of the pockets are locatedand optionally sanitarily sealed before use, so that a sanitary coverseal can be removed or pierced along these perpendicular perforations,to reveal the openings of the pockets of each jaw of the tongs forfinger, thumb or fingers being inserted into previously sanitarilysealed regions, extending at least in the central region between thepocket openings (or optionally, extending along the entire region orportion thereof of the flat tongs before use), or to hug the fingers.

The tongs may be provided in a multiple stacked relationship, the stackof tongs being supported upon a stand having a base, a column and aclip, or on a hook extending from a wall, to hold the plurality of tongs

Optionally, the tongs may comprise conical members formed from a sheet,the sheet wrapped around to form the conical shape at a sealed linearlyextending joint, the sealed joint being provided in such an amount toprovide a linearly extending textured food grabbing linear portion. Theconical tong members may also be formed from a sheet, where the sheet iswrapped around to form the conical shape, the conical members each beingprovided with respective three dimensional crimped portions forming thetextured food grabbing surfaces.

In another alternate embodiment, the disposable finger holding tongs forhandling a food product include a strip of disposable flexible coatedmaterial having a central folded region; wherein distal ends of thestrip form jaws of the tongs, each distal end having a pocket toaccommodate a finger of a user. A removable seal may cover thedisposable finger tongs prior to use and respective textured surfacesmay be provided on grabbing surfaces of the jaws to assist in holdingthe food product. In this embodiment, the tongs are formed from a foldedsheet of flexible material folded over a set of female dies (or at leastone female die) pressed by a set of male dies (or by at least one maledie) to form crimped open three dimensional finger and thumb portions(and finger joints) with textured surfaces, the folded materials and thedies being provided under a shroud providing a heat sealing of thetongs. The dies can also form crimps to for three dimensional surfacescorresponding to the palm area of the tongs.

In yet another alternate embodiment, a disposable food grabbingaccessory includes a flexible substrate having a flat skin contact sideand an opposite textured side, the flexible substrate being attached toan elastic or stretchable band placed over a finger. The texturedsubstrate is attachable by the tensile force of the elastic orstretchable band extending over the finger, wherein the elastic orstretchable band directly holds the textured substrate directly on thefinger.

In general, the present invention is a dispensable and retrievablecontainer/system with sanitary paper tongs in a package in relation tothe dispenser and a transferable sticker in a container, with a siliconerelease backer. Adherable texturized stickers are provided for handlinglobster and shrimp surfaces needing abrasive rubbing thereon, but whichdo not touch skin. This invention relates to disposable tongs which aremore particularly intended for use in handling unwrapped foods, forexample, in shops, restaurants, although the tongs may, if desired, beused in suitable other cases where it is desired to avoid touchingsubstances, such as medical or pharmaceutical particles to be picked upby hand.

A common method of handling foods in an unwrapped condition in shops isto use metal/plastic tongs, which may be used a considerable number oftimes in the course of a day's trading between cleanings. This is adisadvantage from a hygienic point of view, particularly as in thecourse of such use, the food-gripping surfaces of the tongs mayinadvertently be handled or soiled and disposable sanitary paper andtear under moist conditions when pressure is applied to it and incontact with rough, sharp, pointed surfaces. An object of the presentinvention is therefore to provide tongs suitable for the use in handlingfood and food surfaces which can be produced at a cost sufficiently lowto make it practicable for the user to throw them away after using onceonly. Preferably, the tongs can be broken up after use into smallerpieces, making them more environmental sound to prevent choking ofwildlife. This is accomplished by having tearable peripheral edges,which enable the user to tear the used set of tongs before disposal. Themethod of disposal motivates the user to dispose of the used tongs in anenvironmentally and wildlife friendly manner. In this method, itpromotes a second finger protection feature, where, in addition to thefirst feature of protecting the finger(s) or thumb during use fromcontact with messy food being held by the tongs, but also, as a secondfinger protecting feature, the tearable edges of the tongs can alsoprotect the fingers when the user puts the two food contact surfaces ofboth tongs against each other, so that both tongs can be torn while theuser's fingers only contact the clear outer side of the tongs.

Therefore, the disposable tongs of the present invention provide atriple protection to the user. First, the soft irregular peripheraledges help prevent paper cuts to the fingers, mouth, tongue and lips ofthe user. Second, the tongs preferably have a central connecting tabbetween the two jaw pockets of the tongs, wherein the central tab can betorn to separate the tongs into two tongs, so that the two food contactsides of the respective pockets can be folded against each other, sothat the user only holds the outside, clean, non-food contact area whendisposing the used tongs. Third, if both the front and back of pocketsare messy, the clean central tab can be torn, and folded over the backand/or front of the messy pockets, thereby keeping the hands, fingersand/or thumb of the user clean during the tear down and disposable ofthe used set of tongs. In this manner, the hand that is using the torntongs can press the user's thumb and fingers together, concealing themess on the front and back of the pockets. Then the hand that is notusing the tongs can drag and fold the extended torn connecting tab overthe messy front or back of pockets, therefore concealing the mess on thefront or back of both pockets. With the same hand, the user can drag theset of tongs off the other hand and start the tearing down process tobreak the used set of tongs into small, disposable pieces.

Another objective of the invention is to overcome the tearing of thecost effective, disposable tongs. When a full glued base sticker isapplied to paper tongs, it can grab multiple surfaces well, but papertongs tear when pressure is applied to any one particular side. Itcauses the side of sticker with no pressure to lift, therefore pullingon sanitary paper causing tear and tears occur faster as the paper tongsget moist from food. In a preferred embodiment, to overcome the tearingand still provide a cost effective and practical disposable paper tong,the textured sticker has a central glue base only with the glue at thecenter of the base of sticker. It allows for the maximum grasping of thefood surface and when pressure is applied to any one side of thesticker, the central glue adhesive region allows for a pivoting of thefree peripheral ends of the sticker, because the outer base of thesticker is free of glue, which does not stick, is not connected it tothe paper, which eliminates the pulling and tearing.

Although a fully glued base or a particularly outer perimeter glue (tosave on glue) base can be applied to stronger, more expensive coated,plastic, multilayer, disposable, non-disposable tongs. According to theinvention, the stickers and tongs can have optional three dimensionalmulti surfaces with self-locking, press in novelty or shell crackingaccessories or more optionally, a zip track, wherein an accessory ispushed in and permanently or temporarily locks for rugged use and safety(not necessary for connecting tab). Locking can be temporary by the userpinching tabs located on the zip tracks. Also, the accessory can belocked in place by fasteners, such as drawer fasteners or jewelryclasps.

According to the invention, stickers can be made in plastic injections,moldings and embossed sheet systems. Disposable tongs are formed, madeby a strip of paper or other poly coated or other flexible, disposablematerial. By folding and heat sealing, gluing and cutting, there aredifferent methods of producing hygienic, disposable tongs, with a highvolume label press, leaving a perforated top pocket connecting tab whichcompletely seals pockets and only when the top perforated tab is torn ofits, exposes the bottom pockets' connector tab and reveals the mouth ofthe pocket. A preferred method is a strip of paper or flexible,disposable material, which is provided at each end with a pocket and isfolded about its middle so that its pockets' ends form a connecting tabso that each pocket is at the outside of the tongs and has its mouthpresented towards the middle of the strip, whereby the tongs can be heldin use by the user inserting a finger or fingers into one pocket and athumb into the other pocket. Also according to the invention, aplurality of disposable tongs can have a perforated connected ability atits ends or sides with or without a perforated hygienic tab (which doesnot have to be perforated.) Connecting tongs can be provided in aboxlike dispenser that when pulled, a cutter on the dispensing box willcut a perforated connecting tab. Also the tongs thus produced can bestacked where the food touching side is faced down on a convex base,which allows for the pocket mouth to face up and open. Wheel allows theuser to easily insert thumb and finger(s) into pockets.

Also according to an alternate embodiment of the invention, a convex,rectangular base, with two posts at each end can hold sets of tongs,which are placed on the convex base with a hygienic tab up with distalpocket tips in between posts. The narrow sides of rectangle are freemoving, of whichever sides up and down so that the two narrow cornerposts rest upon the distal tips of pocket. The weight holds tongs inplace so the tab can be torn off, exposing respective pockets' mouthsand connecting pockets' tab, insuring that only that particular userwill put their fingers and thumb into that particular tongs, and noneothers.

The open mouth, disposable tongs can be produced in current methods ofusing a production press and filling the tongs in a dispenser container.Optionally the tongs are flexible, with at least one textured surfacesubstrate or sticker adhered thereto, and which does not touch the skin.Without limitation to other embodiments foreseen by this disclosure, torecapitulate, the important salient optional features of the texturedfood or other item handling tongs with in situ applied textured stickers(or in situ applied other textured bearing members) include optionallyat least as follows:

-   -   A. a textured sticker with a central glue adhesive back, a        textured multilayer sticker, with at least one zip lock tracks    -   B. at least one novelty or shell cracker or utensil accessory        which locks onto a sticker having three dimensional support        members;    -   C. at least one textured sticker with an elastic or stretchable        rubber band which goes over tong to hold a textured sticker in        place without adhesive contact with the tong;    -   D. at least one textured sleeve jacket goes over the tongs;    -   E. a completely sealed (or partially sealed) tong before use can        have a peelable, perforated release tab to keep the inside        surfaces of the tong recesses free of contaminants so that when        peeled, there are revealed recess pockets;    -   F. at least two tongs, joined together with a tearable,        perforated connection;    -   G. an open, weighted dispenser for a plurality of tongs        manufactured from a single sheet of flexible material, with        pre-perforated separation lines therebetween;    -   H. a pull dispenser with connected tongs for dispensing tongs;        or,    -   I. all tongs can be rounded, angled, shaped into a finger(s),        etc., all can be covered with poly coated material, of a        flexible material, such as paper, plastic or fabric, or        combinations thereof, and can be coated on both sides, multi        layered, with paper, material wax, synthetic wax and poly wax,        wherein a minimal margin, to no margin, can be created by        adjusting the position of the fold lines of the paper or coated        poly, flexible material, where the pockets' sides are a natural        fold and seam of a flexible material and seal, at locations,        such as, for example, on bottom of pockets and on top or bottom        center, like a manila envelope.

The optional textured sticker to start with has a predetermined designso when the user's thumb meets fingers, it mimics a bird beak to pick uppieces of food, such as meat or other food products, to be grabbed andconsumed.

The tongs can have more than one sticker with protruding, abrasivetextures, and the texture can be of a fanciful but abrasive texture,such as the face of a character, such as a design where two stickersmeet to make a character on the tong's surfaces.

A male part on open sticker can insert into another sticker's femalepart when two stickers become hinged or solid locked, with an ability tobecome or hold fanciful and/or functional accessories, such ascharacters which can function as shell crackers, meat tearers, etc.

The textured stickers can be embossed with a product such as known aspoly 2301 Pioneer WI54868, 800-319-2477-751-234-9186.

The tong's pockets and respective food touching surface and/or entireback and front can be coated, printed, dipped, etc., in rubber, plastic,acrylic, etc., with or without pieces of crushed nutshell, processedcorn bits, etc., to create a gripping surface with a bonding ability,that is sanitary and digestible.

Exterior paper on the bottom of each pocket can be shorter on top orback of each tong pocket so that a finger and thumb can find themselvesinto the recess of the pocket, because the pockets can be provided witha different size of FDA approved material on each side and top openingof pocket on food touching side where it meets the tab, which may belonger than the back or pocket. This allows for easier finding of theopenings of each pocket of each tong. A shorter back side can still besealed, glued, etc., anywhere on the respective folded edges thereof.

In the coating process, a multicoated paper, such as aluminum is coatedwith paper, and then the paper is coated with poly wax.

In this process, at least a portion of the product can have textured,coated, multi coat surface.

Although adhesives, glue and heat sealing can be used, a cold sealmethod can also be used. Additionally joints can be sealed when theflexible FDA approved material forming the tongs is rolled, crimped,sewn, knurled, etc.

Coatings help strengthen the paper tongs, which when used, break downquickly, with use and handling food. A paper water shield can be addedfrom the minimum amount to the maximum amount to get the tong strongerwhen it is wet. Water strength depends upon the amount of adhesivesprayed on at the time of turning pulp.

Multiple coatings can be applied with or without increased waterresistance strength. The more adhesive applied, the more crinkly thepaper is, which is undesirable for a napkin use. But in the use of afinger tong, it will add a needed strength to hold up against moistureand to keep the ink print on paper. Without the paper strength, anyindicator or decorative ink tends to dissolve into the tissue, whichthen grossly dissolves into foods, although food-compatible,non-printed, coated FDA approved material and/or edible ink can touchthe food.

Tongs can also be made with FDA approved material such as used in makingpaper towels, i.e., for example, paper of two plys or more, or one plypaper. Although Kraft chemical pulping adds more dry strength byallowing chemical bonds, which can be enhanced with more dry strengthadditives, such as cationic starch in the form of bleach, bleach pulp ofa paper napkin tissue, but it may still need wet strength by theaforementioned coating. Although wet strength and process are still inthe experimental stages in the chemical pulp, wet strength additivessuch as polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin resins may be added at a point inprocessing where the pH level is good, such as between 6-9, is thenmixed with good negative charged amounts and without excessive positivecharge when adding resins. In some cases, cationic wet strength resinscan be improved by adding carboxymethykellulose or other negativelycharged additives.

Heat or glue sealers can make the tongs of any size, so as to be anysize or geometric shape, with a function, for example, the tongs may besealed in the shape of being rounded around fingers and/or a thumb andin front of or tips of fingers or thumbs. This will allow for whenfingers and/or a thumb grab an article of food or other item. It allowsfor the things to be grabbed by the tongs, as the jaws of the tongs arebrought together by the fingers and thumb acting cooperatively. Thiscreates a region for food grabbing, which helps hold on to food within acontoured conformational shape around the food article being heldtherein.

The tongs can be sealed anywhere to create different food nesting shapesand/or finger stability enhancement methods. The jaw pockets can beequal sized, or two different sized pockets or one universal pocket,where the user places the pockets over both the thumb and finger to grabfoods. The tongs are coated to form a stronger FDA approved material tohold up against moisture-laden foods, for example, moist fruit salad orchow mein, to prevent the tongs from breaking down and dissolving intofoods that are moist.

Each tong's pockets' respective seams can be provided on the outsideand/or on the inside of the tong's pockets, which can have a seamlessedge, frayed edges and/or edges cut in any shape or shapes, or turnedinside out, like socks, and be produced with an air suction method orother methods.

Each set of foldably joined tongs can have multilayer paper and/or polyplastics, with poly or paper in between, and/or poly coated FDA approvedmaterial, to stop grease penetrations. With heat, glue or other sealer,the closed end of the pockets are sealed, but the open ends can beopened from a sealed state where the user tears a perforated line of thetongs, either partially or fully around the tongs, to remove a sanitaryseal covering the pocket opening of the jaws of the tongs, which theuser removes, which reveals the pocket for insertion of the finger,fingers or thumb therein.

If made of paper, the tongs can have wet strength glue that is polybased and other additives that are food compatible, but of syntheticand/or natural FDA approved material, and which may be coated or notcoated, such as by being embedded in the paper FDA approved material tobe folded and formed into the tongs.

Mylar, which is more flexible than paper, more durable and has an oilresistance feature, can be used as an alternate embodiment for theflexible sheet FDA approved material, from which the tongs are madefrom.

An example of a machine for processing flexible sheet materials can be aFLEXO® machine, which is rotary-line operational. The optional permanentglue can be NCR ink adhesive. The flexible material may be MYLAR® (film)under the TYVEK®® trade name. The Mylar material is processed in layerswith adhesives, and cut to reveal a second layer.

When the tongs produced has a top connector (tab), the process of makingis still the same, except in that the tab is left, then cutter cuts thematerial and adhesive is added. To insert a drawstring from a reel ofstring, insertion starts at the beginning of the insertion process, thenis placed in between sheets before a needle pulls through a length ofthe draw string to form a pull string which then can close the mouth ofpocket, until opened by the user to reveal the finger insertion recessesin the tongs, or just pre-sewn into the material.

Optional steel dies can start the tong forming process for threedimensionally shaped tong pockets process, which are then optionallycrimped or otherwise shaped to provide the textured surface, which canbe a pattern, a random accumulation of texturization, or can becontacted with a glob, or squirt of silicone glue placed on the foodgrabbing side of the tongs, which glob of silicone Is formed intoshapes, tools, logos, characters, which are then adhered to the surfacetexturization of the tongs.

In an alternate embodiment, a food handling product is made fromsuitable materials, and has an important feature to help prevent injury,wherein at least one functional tab connector provides a functional useand/or feature for the user, where in at least one functionalfinger/thumb accommodation area is presented and at least onefinger/thumb stability area is optionally provided. Furthermore, incertain circumstances, at least one additional functional connecting tabcan be provided to assist another connecting tab where in at least onefunctional finger/thumb accommodation area is presented and at least onefinger/thumb stability is optionally provided.

As shown in FIG. 5A and in the alternate embodiments, the tab betweenthe two jaws can be provided outside the palm area, because it allowsfor a universal size finger accessibility entrance into the pocket,which allows the tong to open wide, top, central and bottom. In otherwords, since the tab is outside the palm area, between the thumb and thefingers it alleviates the situation where when a user with smallhands/fingers uses the universal fitting tongs, it creates an unstablecondition for the smaller hand user because the free-swinging pockets donot allow any allowance of adjustment or control or stability of thepocket, and the optional stability holes on the tab shorten the smallhand fingers of the user from going into the finger accommodation area.Therefore, there is a need for a width allowance for the connectingstability tab that adds a pocket adjustment, stability feature andcontrol for users with small hands. The length of this tab willdetermine the distance and ratio of stability snugness from the distancein-between the tab and palm. In addition, this width allowance taballows less spreading apart of the pockets and it also allows thefinger/thumb accommodating areas to pull back snugly on the user'sfingers/thumb when the user spreads his or her fingers and thumb awayfrom each other. For any given reason or task, a user wants their handto open or close naturally and freely for their own comfort, functionand/or performance, even if the task only requires the use of fingers.So, another tab can be introduced to include medium sized users toreceive the advantages and to prolong the life of the tong byintroducing an extra stretch tab to help prevent stress tears and/orrips, while also enhances the performance during usage. It is alsoimportant for the reader to understand that although a person slips on,for example, a knitted, rubber, plastic glove that covers entire handand wrist area and although it may be sized in the wearer category, thewearer still has to adjust the glove continuously before, after, andsometimes during the act of grabbing objects such as cups, shovels,balls, tools, etc. Even though the object might be small enough to fitin the wearer's hand, the object is still held awkwardly and/ordifficult to get a good grip on it, because naturally there's nothinglike the user's bare hands for getting hold of something, because itjust feels and can get an instant secure grabbing grip. The object ofthis example is to show that it is even much tougher to maintain andsecure pockets and/or finger/thumb accommodating areas of a tongs' item,on only the bare fingers/thumb while giving control, stability, comfortand proper usage. It is urgent that a protective, comfortable item, suchas a pair of tongs, be custom fit for one particular user size categorywith an accommodating and a connecting feature only is offered and tosave on cost for certain situations a multiple sizes of user's item isprovided so multiple users of the tongs can get the protectiveadvantages and feel, grab and maintain integrity of a particular item,with at least one accommodating and at least one connecting feature. Itis also important that when presenting a set of tongs for a multiplesizes to, that the tongs can be provided, with at least one fingeraccommodation area and at least one connecting tab area and/or anindividual user size category with a particular accommodating area, anda particular connecting tab feature area. It is also preferable that thetongs use a flexible yet firmer material for stability, durability andother enhancement, since it is already known that injuries such as papercuts can happen and if a user is using item around face/mouth area, itis urgent that finger, mouth or lip cut injuries are prevented.Therefore, it is very important that an optional soft ragged peripheraledge and/or at least a portion be determined to be less sharp. Inaddition, this soft ragged feature assists by adding a familiaridentification and recognition of the item with or without theenhancement material to prevent paper cuts of the finger or thumb of theuser.

When grabbing different-shaped foods such as a turkey drumstick, whichis wide at the top, meaty part and gets narrower at the bony section andthen wider at the cartilage end; or a rib, which is wider at the meatytop and narrower at the bone and wider at the sternum connection or anyother cuts or slabs of meat, or when grabbing objects such aspear-shaped fruits and vegetables that are narrow at the top and wide atthe bottom and also odd/oblong-shaped fruits like mango and avocados.When grabbing different-sized objects such as a cam shaft, in which thelobes on the shaft are positioned at different points and lobe positionson shaft are apart with wider, then narrower lobes, then back to wider,in series on the shaft. Another example is a painter painting a doll'sleg where the doll's calves are wide and the ankle is narrow and thenwide again at the feet.

All tabs and tongs can optionally have a logo. Another example of anobject to be held are candlestick holders that are hour-glass shaped tonarrow, to wider, to narrow, to round or square base. The tongs areoptionally made to hold different shapes and sizes of tools, pictureframes, Christmas ornaments, dishes, foods, cups, wine glasses, etc., asfor examples. For grabbing the varying contour pieces, then individualadjustment, stabilizing, connecting, accommodating features and methods,can be introduced in the tongs for grabbing that particular item, and/oruser size, etc. When the usage of a pair of tongs is needed for holdingan object requiring particular adjustment, stabilizing, or at least oneconnecting and accommodating features for the task of users is needed,the FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily used materialsforming the tongs can be manufactured by physical and/or mechanical setup and/or use of different raw FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used materials of liquids, chemicals, acids, glues, solidroll/sheet FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterials coated, extruded, brushed, squeezed, layered, textured,sprayed, splattered, mist, loosely felted, spandex, knitted, woven,parchment silicone, laminated, air/gas applied/cured and other knownmethods in the arts, etc. In addition to paper formation methodsdescribed in wwwpaperontheweb.com, Encyclopedia Britannia, Wikipedia andsuch, the tongs being made are prepped and prepared in a full and/orpartial manner, with desired FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used materials, on any sides and/or just left unworked.

In order to grab the aforementioned varying contoured and dimensioneditems being held by the tongs, the single function or multi-functiontabs between the two jaws of the tongs can allow, for example, astretchability feature in the connecting tab, which is presented on thetongs for extra stretch as needed. A second tab, which can be adifferent size than the other tab, for example, shorter, when combinedwith the larger tab, will allow smaller hands to have a stable widthopening allowance. For example, a wide-open tab can also be presented toaccommodate large hands. At least one tab can be presented anywhere onthe tong for a specific purpose, size, user, job, feature, task,comfort, etc., so that the aforesaid pair of two tabs can be determined,and also be less sharp to prevent paper cuts.

All tabs as mentioned include a tab selected from the group consistingof a universal entrance wide open connecting tab, a universal extra wideopen connecting tab, a width and stability allowance connecting tab, astretch connecting tab, super stretch connecting tab, a crisscrossventing width and stability allowance connecting tab, a crisscrossventing stretch connecting tab, a perforated tearable connecting tab, atheme connecting tab, a game connecting tab, a tearable napkinaccommodating connecting tab, a tear allowance connecting tab, aperforated bendable connecting tab, an ergonomic connecting tab, a slitstretch connecting tab, etc. The one or more tabs can be any geometricshape and include shapes such as an oval, wings, people, a place, athing, a character, slit, slits, cuts, diamonds, and/or decorativeorigami folds.

All tabs can be in or out of the palm area between the thumb and fingerjaws, and/or with a full closure, partial closure or no closure betweenfinger accommodating areas. Each manufacturing process of making therespective connecting tabs each can requires its own and unique methodand type of different tool design, mold, dies, machine set-up,procedures, etc., and the method of setting up, in addition to uses ofmentioned tools, dies, molds, etc., or in combination with each other.

A further option includes a finger accommodating making tab, where a setof tongs is formed from a foldable template, that has one or moreinsertion tabs (on one or more sides of the template) that connect twoparts of the flat template to forma three dimensional pocket or otherfinger accommodating feature of a set of tongs.

All versions of the tongs can optionally have a breakable seal anywherein the pocket, which can be heat-sealed or glued, can be at leastperforated, heat/glue sealed in/or around the entrance of the pocketand/or inside the pocket. Seals can be provided in singles, doubles,channels so when fingers are inserted into the pocket, it tears theseal, therefore hugging the untorn portion of the seal around fingers.Also, each pocket of the tongs can be fully-sealed at the mouth with abreakable, perforated portion. Therefore, a person can pierce theirfinger/thumb into the perforation at the mouth and into the pocket,where the untorn perforation hugs around the fingers/thumb and/or a pullstring/thread can be pre-glued/sealed in the pocket, with at least aportion protruding out of the pocket in which the string/thread ispulled to reveal the pocket entrance. Any of these versions can be madefrom a single sheet/roll of FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material.

The tongs can also be provided optionally with a logo or print, becoated, layered and/or textured, shape, cut and feel recognition.

When needed for grasping certain objects, such as pieces of food, thetongs can be presented with connecting tabs, which can function on theirown and/or become supplemental assisting tabs, which can assist eachother, to improve the life of the tong, by reducing stress on the tongunder different sized users doing different functions at the same time.The tong can have tabs between the jaws, which can have perforations,which separate them to be used on individual fingers/thumb. Eachindividual portion can have a stability method feature, for example, ahole can be provided where a finger is initially inserted into and theninto a finger/thumb accommodating area.

Another method of stability can be an entire wall/strip of a differentFDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily used material,where at least a portion of that roll/sheet FDA approved and/or foodservice culinary customarily used material is of a different gauge,thickness, strength, rigidity, flexibility, coated, layered, weightexpressed in pounds, etc., and is pre-worked with texture/glue and/orprepped for sealing and is laid on a second sheet of FDA approved and/orfood service culinary customarily used material that is of a secondgauge or thickness, etc., of FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material. This method will make at least one walldifferent from the others.

Another stability/control method can be a peelable glue strip at the topof the pockets, where after inserting fingers into pockets of the jawsof the tongs, a user can peel the glue strip and press against theuser's fingers and/or hands. Another method of stability is a strap/bandthat extends from one side of the tong to the other side, which cansecure itself on the hand or on the other side of the tong. It issecurable by a peelable glue strip and/or sewn through at least one holeand/or locked in grooves/slits. These side-to-side straps/bands can bestretchable or non-stretchable and can wrap around hand/wrist areasand/or fork off to at least two bands which can go around wrist areas.

All tabs as aforesaid mentioned, and including stretch tabs andextra-stretch tabs, super stretch tabs, width allowance tab, wide opentab, extra wide open tab, crisscross allowance tab, tear allowance tab,etc., can be configured in any geometric shape, including, for example,shapes of ovals, people, places, things, characters, and can optionallyhave slits, cuts, diamond folds, and/or origami folds. All tabs can be afrill closure, partial closure or no closure between finger and thumbaccommodating areas.

The tongs can be optionally manufactured by hot foil stamping, heatcrimping, hot stamping, heat-sealing, gluing, etc., which are some ofthe procedures useful in making tongs of the present invention. Althoughit is known of other methods may be used, such as RF, ultra sonic,vibration, etc., the related set up costs, materials, etc., may bedifferent at different costs.

With respect to the tongs, optionally the tongs have at least onefinger/thumb accommodating area for finger insertion therein, includingthe following:

A. pocket;

B. one or more flexible straps;

C. one or more straps;

D. an in-between finger(s) vertically extending tab wall;

E. an in-between finger(s) vertically extending wall I-beam tab;

F. an in-between free finger(s) tabs is a pocket;

G. in-between free finger(s) tab is a strap;

H. free finger(s) being dimples;

I. free finger(s) jaws; or,

J. a combination thereof.

In another preferred embodiment, the tongs include at least “one or no”finger stability method, including the following:

A. a hole in the tab;

B. a strap;

C. a plurality of straps;

D. one or more flexible straps

E. a pierceable seal in a pocket of a finger(s)/thumb accommodatingregion;

F. a pierceable seal at a mouth of a pocket of finger(s)/thumbaccommodating region;

G. a pierceable perforation around an open mouth area in a pocket offinger(s)/thumb accommodating region;

H. a full stability wall with a separate material;

I. a partial stability wall prepped onto an original material;

J. a layered wall;

K. a stretchable wall;

L. a draw-string in a pocket of a jaw;

M. a huggable pocket;

N. an allowance tab;

O. a clip with a hook/ring ability;

P. a plurality of finger stability methods;

P. a combination thereof; or,

Q. none of the above.

In another preferred embodiment, the jaws are connected by a tabextending therebetween, including at least one finger-accommodatingconnecting tab of one or more of the following configurations:

A. a universal entrance wide open connecting tab;

B. an extra wide open connecting tab;

C. a width and stability allowance connecting tab;

D. a stretch connecting tab;

E. a super stretch connecting tab;

F. a crisscross venting with width and stability allowance tab;

G. a crisscross venting stretchable connecting tab;

H. a perforated, tearable tab;

I. a tab that has the configuration of a theme or character;

J. a game tab;

K. a tearable napkin accommodating tab;

L. a perforated, bendable tab

M. an ergonomic tab;

N. a slit stretchable tab;

O. a tear allowance connectors tab;

P. a tearable cut in the connecting tab;

Q. a tearable tab for independent use of a stability pocket;

R. a notch at a hardened pocket sealed to promote tearing from acontinuous tearable tab cut in which the cut presents a tearable softedge in finger accommodating areas;

S. a tab acting as a puppet;

T. a plurality of tabs connecting the finger accommodating areas;

U. at least one perforation in one or more connecting tabs;

V. a combination thereof.

The tongs are disposable, and made of at least one type of material,which may be one of the following:

A. coated;

B. uncoated;

C. layered;

D. textured with a manufactured texturization;

E. textured with an adhesively attachable textured sticker;

F. knitted;

G. woven;

H. fabricated; or,

I. a combination thereof.

When optionally prepared as multiple sets of tongs for one or moresheets of forming material, such as paper, the tongs are each separablefrom each other by a perforation of at least one type of optionallysoft, less sharp, type of cut as follows:

A. a perforated edge;

B. a fragmented edge;

C. a frayed edge;

D. a segmented edge;

E. a straight edge;

F. a zig-zag edge;

G. a teethed edge;

H. a serrated edge;

I. a jagged edge;

J. a rounded teeth edge;

K. a tearable edge;

L. a reference to botany Plants and leaves for edges; or,

M. a combination thereof.

All versions of the alternate embodiments can accommodate at least onefinger/thumb, or a plurality of fingers and a thumb.

To make double or more tabs connecting the pairs of jaws, materials canbe folded as many times as needed to make as many tabs as needed, and/orbe layered as many times as needed to make multiple tabs.

At least one finger tab accommodating area can have a free fingerability, wherein there is a strap(s) and/or pocket(s) to accommodate atleast a finger/thumb and then a free open finger accommodating area foran additional finger to rest against, without being confined.

As noted above, the tabs can be vertically extending walls or I-beamshaped walls.

The in-between Finger(s) at least one tab versions can be curved or canbe flat vertical. Another example is an “I” beam structure that istextured to accommodate the side of a finger. This accessory can have apeelable glue or be pre-made on the tongs from a factory. This versioncan also accommodate dimpled/textured areas.

Slit/cut stretch tab can have slits/cuts at any angles and/or directionsand a slit can be part of another slit in another direction ex. LetterI, it also allow for expandability while still having enough protectiveFDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily used material toprotect hands from getting soiled.

The tear allowance connectors tab prevents a tear from traveling becauseindividual finger accommodating area connectors are connected separatelyside by side from each other so if a stress tear starts on one of theconnectors and rips through fully there will always be another tomaintain the integrity of the tong.

Another tab can be a puppet tab, wherein die-cut images are not fullycut out, leaving the uncut image still on the tab, so when the tab isstretched or in use, the uncut images become moveable. Images can beprinted and/or die-cut.

In an alternate embodiment, the set of tongs can have tight shut mouthstabilizing jaws, such as pockets, each having an optional “stabilizingtight body” with a closed mouth shut finger(s)/thumb insertion opening,preferably with an injury preventive soft cut feature in which the softcut style in addition adds an identification familiarity recognitionvisual appearance to the tongs and the soft cut additionally andfurthermore, the tongs allow for an easy tearable connecting tab so thateach of the pair of the individual tight shut-mouth stabilizing pocketscan be independent in use of each other, by tearing apart, in which eachindividual tight shut-mouth stabilizing pocket can independentlystabilize itself on a finger(s)/thumb. In this version the tongs have atleast one finger/thumb accommodating area and at least one connectingtab, as well as optionally at least one additional stability featurebeyond the tight shut mouth and/or stabilizing body of each pocket ofthe tongs.

In this embodiment, a deeper or longer soft cut feature can be providedanywhere on the connecting tab and be used to tear the tongs in twopieces. This at least one soft cut can be deeper/longer to emphasize aseparation point on the tongs for each tight shut mouthed jaw of thetongs to be used individual freely, and optionally, where one or more ofthe jaws, preferably pockets, can have tight shut mouth stabilizingfeatures, and at least one pocket can optionally have a front bulge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can best be understood in connection with theaccompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited tothe precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tongs of thisinvention showing the location of an elastic or stretchable member ineach finger recess to aid in insertion, tight fit and withdrawal of afinger from a recess, wherein the elastic or stretchable member can beone or more elastic or stretchable strips inside or outside of eachfinger/thumb insertion tong, or can be a closed loop ring, either formedby joining two linear strips at respective end pairs, to form a closedloop when two laid parallel strips are on a folded portion of a sheet ofmaterial and the fold line is parallel to each strip, whereby foldingover the intermediate fold line causes the strips to lay co-terminus ontop of each other, where they are spot sealed at each end to form aclosed loop, or alternatively, a prefabricated ring is insertedflattened into each tong and sealed in location at opposite endsthereof, wherein beaded glue will stick to the paper and allow forstretching.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the tongs of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2A, 2B show strips of tear-off tongs with smaller offset openthumb accommodating portions and a knife and thumb forming regionassociated with forming same.

FIGS. 2C, 2D show strips of tear-off tongs with smaller centered openthumb accommodating portions, and a knife and thumb forming regionassociated with forming same.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elastic or stretchable ring which islocated by illustration in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an elastic or stretchable linear stripcut from a roll of elastic or stretchable material.

FIG. 4 shows a back elevation of a sticker with three variations ofadhesive patch; full adhesive is shown in the left illustration, acentral round patch is shown in the middle illustration, and a perimeteradhesive, seal or glue region is shown in the rightmost stickerillustration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sticker attached to an elastic orstretchable band capable of attaching the sticker to a finger recess bythe tensile force of the elastic or stretchable band.

FIG. 5A is flat plan view of an alternate embodiment for a ringstructure of FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterial with finger insertion openings where two rings are joined by astrip region at a common edge, and have extending therefrom the texturedfinger grabbing portion, or use of a textured sticker as in FIGS. 4, 5and 7. Optionally, sleeve pockets or holding bands can be added to thefinger grabbing portion.

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of contoured die cut hole with contouredfigure outline shapes of an alternate embodiment of the ring structureof FIG. 5.

FIG. 5C is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment for a cover forthe ring hold of the ring structure shown in FIG. 5, with perforatableattachments to a holding band of the ring structure of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D is a top plan view of a ring hole with serrated or undulatingprojections to snugly grip a finger in the ring hole of the ringstructure of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5E is a cushioned layer overlapping an edge of the ring structureof FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 5F and 5G are perspective views of a single ring embodiment fingertool.

FIG. 5H is a detail view of an auxiliary textured tool attachable to afinger tool.

FIG. 5I shows an optional second ring 301 c to hold a distal end of asecond finer for stability and strength.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a sheet of kiss cut stickers with a fancifulindicia on a backing sheet for easy single peel-off.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a three-dimensional multi-layer stickerwith a C-side shape and ridges on the top and bottom inner surfaces foraccepting an assembly consisting of a toy temporarily attached to topand bottom ridged blocks which mate with those in the sticker.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a toy with a press-in protrusion on its back.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the toy of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of a screw-engagement protrusion next to aperspective view of a flat sticker with a central threaded hole.

FIG. 11 shows two side cross sections of deep stickers, one with acentral recess to engage a press-in toy and the second with a threadedcentral hole to accept a threaded protrusion on the toy.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a car toy attached to sticker-attachingbase.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a camera and a hand holding asnapshot created by the camera; this illustrates the option of creatingcustom art work for decorating a sticker surface.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a toy engaged with a sticker havinggrooves on the inside of top and bottom protrusions.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a toy with a locket and handle engagedwith a grooved sticker.

FIG. 16 is a side elevation of the toy and sticker of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a plan illustration of four different heat sealers: doublecontinuous sealer, rectangular sealer, wavy sealer, and semi-circularsealer.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C and 17D are plan illustrations of the four differentheat sealers of FIG. 17 with dashed lines indication indentation linesused by the sealers for rendering bendable or tearable lines in thetongs being sealed by the heat sealers shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 18 is a progression of four plan images showing the prior artmethod of forming tongs by folding a flat sheet top and bottom towardthe middle, heat sealing or adhesively bonding the fold-overs, and thencutting the individual tongs produced.

FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C is a progression of three plan images of a twolayer version starting with a flat coated sheet with pre-perforated toplayer, heat sealing with optional draw string, and tearing at perforatedregions to form individual tongs.

FIGS. 19 D, 19E and 19F show an alternate embodiment where the tongs areproduced by only a single sheet of folded paper, as opposed to the twopaper sheet layers of FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C.

FIG. 20 is an alternate three step process (similar to that of FIG. 19)but producing tongs with border regions around each tongs to preventchoking of children.

FIG. 20A is a close-up front view showing a pocket with soft, irregularedges cut or torn off during production.

FIGS. 20B and 20C are detail views of different soft, irregular edges.

FIG. 20D is a close-up view of a tongs with a tearing tag and soft,irregular edges.

FIG. 20E is a close-up perspective view of two separated jaws beingjoined with food contact areas adjacent to each other.

FIG. 20F is a close-up perspective detail view showing a messy foodcontamination on both the front and back of respective pockets of thetongs.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a stand with base, column, and clip tohold a supply of tongs on a tabletop.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a nested stack of tongs of thisinvention having conical recesses for finger insertion.

FIG. 22A is a sanitary lid for insertion over the top cap of a stack oftongs.

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of tongs with conical recesses havingcrimped facing food-contact areas.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of tongs with truncated cone fingerrecesses with facing crimp seals which form the food contact areas.

FIG. 25 is a flat plan view of a flat cutout which can be formed toproduce tongs with conical finger recesses; two distal rectangularsections with a stripe of adhesive at one edge are formed into thecones.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of tongs made from the plan cutout of FIG.25.

FIG. 27 shows a perspective view of a coated paper cone and a conicalheated mold used to bond the cone.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of molded tongs with a shaped thumb recessand a two-finger recess attached by a strap section.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a nested stack of tongs of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of molded tongs with a shaped thumb recessand a four-finger recess attached by a central strap section.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a nested stack of tongs of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of tongs of thisinvention comprised of a thumb recess attached to four separatesize-appropriate finger recesses each attached to the thumb recess by aseparate strap; each of the four finger recesses have protrudingfood-contact dimples facing the thumb recess which, in turn, has its ownelongated protruding dimple (or four separate dimples) facing those ofthe finger recesses.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of tongs with a thumb recess and a smallerfinger recess attached by a strap section with facing side food-contactcrimped patterns on the two recess sections.

FIG. 34 is perspective view of a food handling accessory with a handrecess attached to a rigid food-contact tool such as the forkillustrated.

FIG. 35 is an exploded diagrammatic view of the steps used in formingdisposable flexible plastic or reinforced paper tongs with texturedsurfaces.

FIG. 36 is a detailed view of a tab connecting two finger accommodatingareas of a pair of tongs, where the tab has a vertical wall to restfingers against.

FIG. 37 is a detailed view of a tab connecting two finger accommodatingareas of a pair of tongs, where the tab has a vertical wall to restfingers against and a tubular insertable area.

FIG. 38 is a detail view of a tab with an I-beam connection.

FIG. 39 is a detail view of a finger rest area of a tab of the set oftongs.

FIG. 40 is a detail view of an accessory accommodating post on a tab ofa set of tongs.

FIG. 40a is a detail view of a set of tongs with a textured area and apocket.

FIG. 41 is a detail view of a set of tongs with a textured area and astrap.

FIG. 42 is a front view of a set of tongs with multiple connector tabs.

FIG. 43 is a detail view of a jaw of a set of tongs with double sidedpockets.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a set of tongs with a breakawayfeature.

FIGS. 45-49 are close up views of various connector tabs to accommodatevarious sized fingers.

FIGS. 50 and 51 are detail views of venting and/or stretchable connectortabs for toys with crisscrossed straps.

FIG. 52 is a detail view of a connector tab with perforation line andfinger insertion holes.

FIG. 53 is a close-up detail view of a connector tab with themefeatures.

FIG. 53A is a close-up detail view of the connector tab of FIG. 53,showing the elements of FIG. 53 converging upon each other.

FIG. 54 is a detail view of a connector tab with game features.

FIG. 54A is a close-up detail view of another connector tab with gamefeatures.

FIG. 54B is a close-up detail view of another connector tab withscratch-off lottery prize features.

FIG. 55 is a detail view of a napkin detachably connected to a set oftongs.

FIG. 56 is a detail view of an ergonomic tab with unequal lengthportions.

FIG. 57 is a detail view of a connector tab with slits.

FIG. 58 is a detail view of a connector tab with tear allowance,auxiliary connectors.

FIG. 59 is a detail view of a tab with movable puppet features.

FIG. 60 is a detail view of a clip with a hook attachable to a connectortab of a pair of tongs.

FIG. 61 is a detail view of a clip with a half-ring hook attachable to aconnector tab of a set of tongs.

FIGS. 62, 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D, 62E and 62F show various templates for afood package container, that has one or more optional tear off sets oftongs with pockets or other finger accommodating areas, which are formedby folding the portions thereof and connecting them withlockable/unlockable insertion tabs insertable in slits in the set oftongs formed from the torn off portion of the food container template.Optionally, the tear-off tongs can already be partially or fully madewith pockets and connecting tabs, with pockets or other fingeraccommodating areas. In the partially made tongs, the user can choosewhether to use a full pocket or an open ended finger accommodatingstrap. The folds can also optionally have finger stability areas formedto press and constrict the fingers in place. The entire tongs can alsohave auxiliary fasteners, such as pressure closable fasteners, such asZip Loc type linear fasteners.

FIG. 62G is a close-up detail view of a tongs with slits and foldoverinsertable tabs for stability.

FIGS. 62H and 62I are close-up detail views of finger top versions oftongs wherein the contour of one or more finger accommodating areasfollows the contour of one or more fingers tip areas of the user. InFIG. 62I, optional edge cuts (as described previously) are shown.

FIG. 63 is an exploded diagrammatic view of an alternate embodiment withmale and female dies for producing tight, shut mouthed jaws (such aspockets) of the set of tongs, optionally with a bulging portion of thefood touching side of the jaws of the tongs.

FIG. 63A is a diagrammatic side view of the male die and female die ofFIG. 63, shown engaged together.

FIG. 63B is a perspective view of the tight, shut mouth jaws of thetongs produced with the male and female dies of FIG. 63 and FIG. 63A,showing two hands of the user, with one hand holding the tongs for tightinsertion of the thumb into one of the tight, shut mouth jaws of thetongs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has broad applications to many technical fieldsfor a variety of articles. For illustrative purposes only, a preferredmode for carrying out the invention is described herein.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of the tongs 1 of this inventionshowing the location of an elastic or stretchable member 5 or 5 a, suchas one or more strips 5 a or a ring 5 in each finger recess 2,3 to aidin insertion and withdrawal of a finger from a recess 2 or 3.

The tongs are formed from a flat folded sheet of flexible heat sealableFDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily used material,such as coated paper, plastic, fabric or combinations thereof, such ascotton/polyester, or fabric strand strengthened paper, such as linenpaper, for example. One side of a finger insertable tong can optionallybe made of one FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarilyused material, such as coated paper, and another side can be made ofcoated plastic or coated fabric. Each closed finger sleeve 2 and 3 has aclosed distal region 6 and an open finger insertion region 4, with anoptional draw string for tighter fit around the finger or fingers. Thedraw string can be pre-sewn, or sewn in during folding, heat sealing andcutting processes of producing the tongs. Die cut perforated holes atthe mouth of each pocket can be imparted for improved stability of thetongs holding a finger, thumb or fingers therein. The elastic orstretchable member 5 or 5 a can be one or more elastic or stretchablestrips 5 a inside or outside, or both, of each finger insertion tong, orcan be a closed loop ring 5 inside or outside, or both, of each fingerinsertion tong. Ring 5 can be a pre-formed closed loop ring, which canbe an in situ formed ring 5, either formed by joining two linear strips5 a at respective end pairs, to form a closed loop when two laidparallel strips 5 a are on a folded portion of a sheet of FDA approvedand/or food service culinary customarily used material and the fold lineis parallel to each strip, whereby folding over the intermediate foldline causes the one or more strips 5 a to lay co-terminus on top of eachother, where they are spot sealed or spot/beaded glued at each end toform a closed loop ring 5, or alternatively, ring 5 can be aprefabricated ring 5 which is inserted flattened into each tong pocketrecess 2 and/or 3 and sealed or glued in location in situ at oppositeends thereof, within the respective pockets 2 and/or 3. Additionally,the elastic or stretchable member 5, in the form of one or more strips 5a or one or more rings 5, can extend the full width of the jaw tongpocket 2 or 3, or, as shown in FIG. 2, can extend partially within eachjaw tong pocket recess 2 or 3. As also shown in FIG. 1, either the ring5 or the strip 5 a can extend partially across the recess pocket 2 or 3,or can extend the full width of recess pocket 2 or 3. For example, FIG.1, while not being limited in scope, shows elastic or stretchable member5 extending partially across the recess pocket 2, and shows elastic orstretchable member 5 a extending the full width of recess pocket 3. Itis assumed that the reverse can occur, where either recess pocket 2 or 3can have one or more interior or exterior partially extending or fullwidth elastic or stretchable members 5 or 5, either as one or more rings5 or one or more strips 5 a.

For sanitary reasons the flat folded sheet of coated paper has a releaseliner covering open regions 4 before use. Alternatively multiple elasticor stretchable straps may be used.

FIGS. 2A, 2B show strips 100 of tear-off tongs 101 (or cut intoindividual tongs) with smaller offset thumb accommodating portions 102,and a knife 110 and thumb forming region 103 associated with formingsame. Although knife 110 is shown with a perforation gap, it can be acontinuous edged knife without a gap. FIGS. 2C, 2D show strips 100 a oftear-off tongs 104 with smaller centered thumb accommodating portions105, and a knife 111 and thumb forming region 103 a associated withforming same.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 3, internal ring 5 is attached withineach respective finger recess 2 and 3 to press against the finger whilethe tong goes from a flat pre-insertion state to an opened billowedstate with a finger, thumb or fingers therein. Alternatively the elasticor stretchable member 5 or 5 a may be an internal elastic or stretchablestrap attached instead of a ring, either attached on the wall at twoends thereof, or sealed or beaded (glued) into the edge of the pocketOptionally a second ring or strap can be provided on the outside surfaceof each tong, for better stability of the tongs over the finger, thumbor fingers.

FIG. 3A shows an elastic or stretchable linear strip 5 a cut from a roll5 b of elastic or stretchable FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material, to be inserted or fabricated as one or morestrips 5 a on the inside or outside of each pocket 2 or 3 of the tongs 1of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a back elevation of a textured, food engaging sticker 16with three variations of adhesive patch; full adhesive 12 is shown inthe left illustration, a central round patch 16 is shown in the middleillustration, and a perimeter adhesive region 14 is shown in therightmost sticker illustration. The advantage of central round patch ofadhesive 16 is that it minimizes contact with paper finger recesses 2and 3, so that free edges on the reverse food grabbing side can contactfood without ripping the paper walls of finger recesses 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate sticker attached to an elastic or stretchableband 18 capable of attaching the sticker 10 to a finger recess 2 or 3 bythe tensile force of the elastic or stretchable band 18. This embodimentcan also be used without tongs, where the textured sticker is applied toa food grabbing side a finger while the elastic or stretchable banddirectly hold the textured sticker directly on the finger, wherein adisposable food grabbing accessory comprises a flexible substrate havinga flat skin contact side and an opposite textured side. The flexiblesubstrate is attached to an elastic or stretchable band placed over afinger, wherein the textured substrate is attachable by the tensileforce of the elastic or stretchable band over the finger, so that theelastic or stretchable band directly holds the textured substratedirectly on the finger, without any tongs.

FIG. 5A shows a flat plan view of an alternate embodiment for a ringstructure 301 of FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarilyused material with finger insertion openings 302, 303 where two rings304, 305 with holes 304 a, 305 a are joined by a strip region 306 at acommon edge 302, and have extending therefrom the textured fingergrabbing portion, instead of a textured sticker 10 as in FIG. 5.Optionally, sleeve pockets 308 or one or more holding bands 309 can beadded to the finger grabbing portion.

FIG. 5B shows a die cut hole 305 b with contoured finger shapes 306 a,306 b, 306 c and 306 d for holding one or more fingers shown in dashedphantom lines in crossection.

FIG. 5C shows ring hole cover 307 connected by perforatable attachments308 connectable to, and releasable from ring 309.

Figure D is an alternate embodiment for ring hole 310 with serrated orotherwise undulating projections 311 to snugly grab a finger.

Figure E is a cushioned layer 312 for edge 313 of ring 14.

FIGS. 5F and 5G are perspective views of a single ring embodiment fingertool 301 a with ring 301 b with band 302 and base 303 for fingerinsertion therebetween. Ring 301 b helps keep the finger tool 301 a uponthe user's finger without falling off.

FIG. 5H is an auxiliary textured tool 320, such as a cake frostingknife, attachable by an adhesive 321 below a release liner 322 to abottom of base 303 of finger tool 301 a. Finger tool 301 a can handle ormanipulate food or money in a sanitary manner.

FIG. 5I shows an optional second ring 301 c to hold a distal end of asecond finger for stability and strength.

FIG. 6 shows a sheet of kiss cut textured stickers 22 with a fancifulindicia on a backing sheet 21 for easy single peel-off before insertionon the food grabbing surfaces of finger recesses 2 and 3 of disposablepaper tongs 1.

FIG. 7 shows a three-dimensional multi-layer sticker 24 with a C-sideshape a set of overhanging immovable jaws and ridges on the top andbottom inner surfaces thereof for accepting an assembly 28 including achild's novelty toy 32 temporarily attached to top and bottom ridgedblocks 29 which mate with those in the sticker 24. The toy 32 can alsofunction as a shell cracker or meat tearer accessory for cracking shellsof food products, such as shrimp or lobster. The toy/shell cracker canbe a collectable item adorned with famous characters or otherdecorations, amusement or restaurant themes and/or sports logos. Fingergrips 30 enable detachment of assembly 28 from sticker 24 by pressingfinger grips 30 to release the tracks shown.

FIGS. 8 and 9 shows a novelty toy or shell cracker 38 with a press-inprotrusion 40 or threaded protrusion 42 on its back, engageable with atextured sticker 36 having a female recess engageable with protrusions40 or 42 before use, when novelty toy or shell cracker 38 is removedfrom textured sticker 36.

FIG. 10 shows screw-engagement protrusion 42 next to a flat sticker 36with a central threaded hole.

FIG. 11 shows two deep stickers 35 and 36, one with a central recess 41to engage a press-in toy/shell cracker 38 with press-in protrusion 40and the second with a threaded central hole 43 to accept a threadedprotrusion 42 on the toy/shell cracker 38.

FIG. 12 shows a car toy/shell cracker attached to sticker-attachingbase.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a camera and a hand holding asnapshot created by the camera; this illustrates the option of creatingcustom art work for decorating a textured sticker surface.

FIG. 14 shows a toy/shell cracker 38 engaged with a textured stickerhaving grooves on the inside of top and bottom protrusions thereof.

FIGS. 15 and 16 shows a toy/shell cracker or accessory utensil with alocket and handle engaged with a grooved textured sticker. Optionallythe toy/shell cracker/utensil bearing accessory can optionally extendforward with abrasive and/or protruding surface projections, so that itcan also contact food, without being removed separately from the threedimensional texture bearing member.

FIG. 17 is a plan illustration of four different heat sealers: doublecontinuous sealer 62 (or partial sealer), rectangular sealer 63, wavysealer 64, and semi-circular sealer 65, which can optionally be a guidedpath for finger insertion, used to seal the edges of tongs 1 withvarious geometric shaped sealed edges (which can extend inside thepockets with perforated tearable seals) and optionally to also sealinside the finger insertion jaws of the set of tongs. Seals can be ofany size or shape and can be double or multiple seals, to facilitate thetongs with a pair of pockets folding onto itself, to increase grippingedge area.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C and 17D show the heat sealers of FIG. 17 withrespective indentation lines 62 a, 63 a, 63 b, 64 a and 65 a used byheat sealers 62, 63, 64 and 65 for rendering optional bending or tearinglines in or on the tongs 1 being sealed by heat sealers 62, 63, 64 and65.

FIG. 18 is a progression of four plan images showing the method offorming tongs 1 by folding a flat sheet 67 at the top and bottom towardthe middle to assume the configuration of folded sheet 68, heat sealingor adhesively bonding the fold-overs at areas 69 to form sheet 70 withmultiple heat seals 69, etc., and then cutting sheet 70 into multipleindividual tongs 72 produced, including optionally fully sealed withdouble perforations provided for open pockets of the multiple tongs 72formed.

FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C show a progression for a two sheet layer offorming tongs, with three plan images 19A, 19B and 19C starting with aflat coated sheet step 75 with pre-perforated top layer, heat sealingthe paper at step 76 with optional draw string, and tearing sheet atstep 77 at perforated regions to form individual tongs 76 b. The tongs76 b are preferably pierceable at the opening mouth of the pockets ofthe jaws. FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C show steps in making tongs 76 b. FIG.19A shows two layers of overlapping tong material 75 a and 75 b, ofdifferent gauges forming individual tongs 76 b. For example, one layer75 a or 75 b can be a thicker wall and the other layer can be a thinner,flexible wall, where the thicker wall 75 a or 75 b can press against theinserted fingers within tong finger insertion pockets 76 c and 76 d.Since the central tab 76 e need be made of only one layer of material, aportion 77 c of layer 75 a can have edge perforations 75 d and 75 e, toremove layer 77 c, leaving the remaining portion underneath of lowerlayer 76 b as the material for central tab 76 e of FIG. 19B.

Further with respect to FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C, the layer 75 a and midportion 77 c, are optional features. The tongs 76 b can be made withoutthe overlay layer 75 a and mid portion 77 c, so that the tongs are madewith just the pockets 76 c and 76 d, connected by connecting central tab76 e.

In another option shown in FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C, tongs 76 b can havehaving finger stability straps 76 a which are mounted against an insidewall of material of the finger accommodation pockets 76 c and 76 d,which are connected by central tab 76 e. Optionally, finger stabilitystraps 76 a are attached by separate bead gluing spots, to allow forsome unglued areas to stretch when the finger of the user is inserted inpocket 76 c or 76 d. The material of straps 76 a is preferably bendableand flexible. While the straps are preferably made of an FDA approved orculinary standard material, in one option, since the inside of the jawsof the tongs do not touch food being held and manipulated on the outsideof the tongs, the straps 76 a can be partially or all made of othermaterials such as plastic or bendable metal.

FIGS. 19 D, 19E and 19F show an alternate embodiment where the tongs 209are produced by only a single sheet of folded paper 201 a, as opposed tothe two paper sheet layers of FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C. For example,optionally a one side edge of the strip forming tong 209 has sideperforations 210 so that the tongs 209 are separable from an adjoiningstrip whereby a plurality of the strips are formed from a single sheetof disposable flexible FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material 201 a, the strips being separable by theperforations 210. The perforations at the top of 208 a and 209 a oftongs 209, when using a single foldable sheet 209 a, should optionallybe double perforation lines 202 a, 203 a and 204 a, 205 a, which willextend perpendicular to the axis of the aligned tongs 209, etc., andlocated parallel to and close to the pocket mouth of pockets 208 a and209 a. The tong pockets 208 a and 209 a each are optionally sealed forsanitary purposes. When used, the perforations lines 202 a, 203 a and204 a, 205 a, are pulled to reveal the open pockets 208 a and 209 a fromunder the sealed portion. The tongs 209 are also optionally pierceableby a finger(s) or thumb at the opening mouth of the pockets of the jawsto piece at least a portion of the pocket, to reveal at least a portionof the opening of the pockets 208 a and/or 209 a, whereby either thepartially open opening hugs around the finger(s) or thumb, or if fullyopen, fully reveals the pocket interior of pockets 208 a and/or 209 a.

FIG. 20 is an alternate three step process 85, 90, 95 (similar to thatof FIG. 19) but producing tongs with border regions around each tongs tomake tongs too wide for insertion into children's mouths, to preventchoking of children. It is noted that a peripheral region around thetongs shown in FIG. 20 can be torn away to make a smaller tong.

FIG. 20A shows a set of tongs 96 with pockets 96 a and 96 b separated bya central, tearable tab 97. The outer edges of the pocket 96 a, 96 b andthe central tab 97 each have soft, irregular, tearable edges 98 a, 98 b,which such edges 98 a, 98 b are formed when the set of tongs 96 arebeing cut outside of edge seals 96 c, 96 d, forming extremely soft peaks96 e and valleys 96 f. These extremely soft edges prevent paper cutsinto the user's fingers, lips, mouth or tongue when holding food withintongs 96. The valleys 96 f of the soft, irregular edges 98 a, 98 bprovide notches for tearing the tongs when disposed into small pieces,as shown in FIG. 20E, where one pocket 99 a with a food contact surface99 aa is placed with its food contact surface 99 aa directly facing foodcontact surface 99 bb of tong pocket 99 b. In that way, the user'sfingers are isolated from the messy food 99 c of food contact surfaces99 aa and 99 bb when the user makes an environmentally sound decision totear tong pockets 99 a and 99 b, as well as to tear connecting tab 99 dof the tongs 96 into small pieces, preventing wildlife from swallowinglarge pocket pieces after disposal.

FIG. 20F shows that, if both the front and back of pockets are messy,the clean central tab 99 d can be used, and folded over the back and/orfront of the messy pockets, thereby keeping the hands, fingers and/orthumb of the user clean during the tear down and disposable of the usedset of tongs. In this manner, the hand that is using the torn tongs canpress the user's thumb and fingers together, concealing the mess 99 c onthe front and back of the pockets. Then the hand that is not using thetongs can drag and fold the extended torn connecting tab 99 d over themessy front or back of pockets, therefore concealing the mess 99 c onthe front or back of both pockets. With the same hand, the user can dragthe set of tongs off the other hand and start the tearing down processto break the used set of tongs into small, disposable pieces.

FIGS. 20B and 20C show different embodiments for soft, irregular orserrated tearable edges 98 a or 98 b.

FIG. 20D shows tab 97 being torn at notch 97 a from pockets 96 a and 96b, each having soft, irregular tearable edges 98 a, 98 b.

FIG. 21 shows an alternate embodiment of a stand 100 with base 101,column 102, and clip 103 to hold a stacked supply of tongs 1 on atabletop. Optionally the support member for the stacked supply of tongscan be a wall mounted hook.

FIG. 22 shows an alternate embodiment of a nested stack 105 of tongs ofthis invention having conical recesses for finger insertion, which mayhave a lid cap for the uppermost tongs of a stack of tongs.

FIG. 22A shows a sanitary lid for insertion over the top cap of a stackof tongs.

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of tongs 107 with conical recesseshaving crimped facing food-contact areas 108 to provide a textured;linear region on food grabbing surfaces.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of tongs 110 with truncated cone fingerrecesses with facing crimp seals 112 which form the food contact areas.While linear regions are shown, it is known that the sealed texturedregions can be curved, patterned, crisscrossed or other geometricconfiguration.

FIG. 25 shows a flat cutout which can be formed to produce tongs 114with conical finger recesses; two distal rectangular sections 115connected by strap joint 116, each having a stripe of adhesive at oneedge, are formed into the cones and tongs 105 or 107.

FIG. 26 shows tongs 114 made from the plan cutout of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 shows a coated paper cone 118 and a conical heated mold 120 usedto bond the cone 118.

FIG. 28 shows a further alternate embodiment of molded tongs 122 with ashaped or crimped thumb recess 124 and a two-finger recess 125 attachedby a strap section 123.

FIG. 29 shows a nested stack 122 of tongs of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 shows molded tongs 125 with a shaped or crimped thumb recess anda four-finger recess 128 attached by a central strap section 127.

FIG. 31 shows a nested stack 126 of shaped and/or crimped tongs of FIG.30.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of shaped orcrimped tongs 132 of this invention comprised of a thumb recess 133attached to four separate size-appropriate finger recesses 134 eachattached to the thumb recess 133 by a separate strap 136; each of thefour finger recesses 134 have protruding food-contact dimples 135 facingthe thumb recess 133 which, in turn, has its own elongated protrudingdimple 137 (or four separate dimples 135 of finger recesses 134) facingthose of the finger recesses 134.

FIG. 33 shows tongs 140 with a thumb recess 142 and a smaller fingerrecess 143 attached by a strap section 141 with facing side food-contactcrimped patterns 144 on the two recess sections.

FIG. 34 shows an alternate embodiment a food handling accessory 148 witha hand recess 149 attached to a rigid food-contact tool 150 such as thefork illustrated, or other food handling implements, such as knives,spoons or chop sticks.

FIG. 35 shows disposable finger holding tongs for handling a foodproduct including a sheet 160 of disposable flexible coated plastic,plastic or fabric FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarilyused material, or combinations thereof, such as, for example, MYLAR®, orreinforced paper FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarilyused material, having a central folded region 161 with opposite foldabledistal end wings 162, 163. The distal end wings 162, 163 of the strip160 form open jaws of the tongs wherein each folded distal end wing 162and 163 forms a pocket 162 a or 163 a to accommodate a thumb or at leastone finger of a person using the tongs to hold food. A removable sealcovers at least the central region of the openings of the disposablefinger tongs (or the entire tongs) prior to use. Respective texturedsurfaces are provided on grabbing surfaces of the jaws to assist inholding the food product; wherein the tongs are formed from the foldedsheet 160 of flexible FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material folded over a set of female dies 164 pressedby a male die 165 to form crimped open three dimensional finger andthumb portions with textured surfaces, such as those shown in FIGS.28-31 or FIGS. 32 and 33. The folded FDA approved and/or food serviceculinary customarily used materials and the complementary dies 164 and165 are provided under a shroud 166 providing a heat sealing of thetongs.

FIGS. 36-61 show further alternate embodiments for the food handlingtongs.

For example, in addition to the pockets 2, 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thepocket 308 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5F, other finger accommodating areasinclude the internally extending straps 5 a of FIG. 1 or the strap 309of FIG. 5A (which may be flexible and stretchable, or just flexible),other finger accommodating areas are shown in the following drawingFIGS. 36-61.

As shown in FIGS. 36-38, the two jaws 2, 3 of the tongs can be connectedby a tab 201, wherein the in-between finger(s) tab can be at least onevertical tab 200, with or without dimple areas or can be have texturedsurface region 202 instead and/or a combination thereof. These areas canalso be at least in combination and/or an extension of a fingeraccommodating pocket 200 a, as shown in FIG. 37, and/or strap area,and/or having I beam and/or vertical wall tab shape.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38, the in-between finger(s) tab 200 canbe at least one I-beam structure 203 with or without a textured region202, dimples, etc., on the finger touching sides. The tab 200 canoptionally have an adhesive 204 with a peelable cover, to secure anaccessory 38 (shown in FIG. 8) and/or be provided on the accommodationside(s).

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the in-between free finger tabaccommodating area connected to pocket 205, shown in FIG. 40, for atleast one utensil support cradle area 206, such as the U-shaped cradle206 shown in FIG. 39, to hold utensils, such as chopsticks or lightplastic utensils. The U-shaped cradle can be attached by an adhesive tabto the tongs, or can be sealed to the tongs.

FIG. 40a is a close up detail view of a tab 200 a showing a fingerpocket 202 a or a dimpled, textured finger rest area 202 b.

As shown in FIG. 41, instead of having pocket 202 a, the in-between freefinger tab accommodating area can be a strap(s) 203 a for at least onefinger/thumb and at least one free finger rest area 203 b.

It is further noted that the in-between free finger tab accommodatingarea versions of FIGS. 40a and 41 can have similar suitable areas 203 a,203 b for thumb accommodation.

FIG. 42 shows a set of tongs 204 having finger accommodating pockets 204a, 204 b (which can alternatively be straps, like straps 203 a of FIG.41), wherein pockets 204 a, 204 b are connected by one or moreconnecting tabs, such as tab 205 extending outside of the user's palmcontact area, width allowance or width adjustable tabs 206 orstretchable tabs 207.

FIG. 43 shows one jaw 401 of tongs with pockets 402, 402 a on both sidesof jaw 401. Pockets 402, 402 a can also be replaced by straps, likestraps 203 a shown in FIG. 41.

The jaws of the tongs can have free finger accommodation “I beam” shapedtab 203 of FIG. 38 and/or other mentioned finger accommodation methodson at least on one side. For example, the jaws of the tongs can also canhave a features of recessed dimples and/or textured surfaces 202 beingthe finger accommodation areas, or, as shown in FIG. 5A, can be incombination with at least one finger stability hole 208 on the tabconnecting the jaws of the tongs, and optionally, when separated, can beused as a single individual finger jaw, such as shown, for example, inFigures SF, 5G, 5H and 5I.

As shown in FIG. 44, a user can optionally twist or break at least onebendable connecting perforated line 211 on the jaws 210 to break thejaws into two pieces 212, 213, in which each piece 212 or 213 can beused separately, wherein a user takes one piece and inserts at least onefinger/thumb into a stability hole 214 and then into fingeraccommodating area 215.

The inside or outside object/food touching side of each of the jaws ofthe set of tongs can be in combination so that the entire jaws areconfigured to be a theme, or to depict a character, person, place,thing, animal, sports, tool, etc., wherein the tabs in-between thefinger accommodation areas can be of different size/shapes of eachother.

These jaws 210 can be molded, injected, stamped, punched, formed, etc.,so that the object/food touching side can be shapes and/or functioningtool, utensils, crushers, meat tearers, etc. (as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9,12), or can be an combination of other jaws. For example, when the setof tongs are used on fingers of the user, the thumb side can have clamplike jaw and the finger side jaw (or vice versa) can have textures and abird beak shaped jaw for dissecting food into small pieces. Optionallythis can also apply to individual fingers using independently and/orindependently used jaws can be made and presented separately. Also, therespective jaws of the set of tongs can be presented to interact witheach other. For example one finger/thumb can have a particular fancifulshape, print, logo, etc., such as a fanciful depiction of a shark'supper jaw teeth and another finger/thumb has the features of the lowerjaw teeth, so when they combine they mimic a shark taking a bite.

The tabs connecting both finger(s) or thumb accommodating areas, suchas, for example, the closed ended pockets 2, 3 as in FIGS. 1, 2, pocket308 of FIG. 5A, and pocket 204 a, 204 b of FIG. 42, are connected bytabs, such as tab 205 of FIG. 42, can have many differentconfigurations.

The universal entrance wide open connecting tab 220 of FIG. 45 canoptionally be out the palm area of the set of tongs, which allows thefinger accommodating areas to be accessibly by multiple size users andallows the two free swinging finger accommodating areas connected by tab220 to perform at their maximum for including an user with large orextra large hands and fingers. As shown, tab 220 extends out of the palmarea, similar to tab 307 of tongs 301 of FIG. 5A. Tab 220 has a singlepeak 220 a in the middle of tab 220.

As shown in FIG. 46, a universal entrance extra wide open connecting tab222 can optionally be out the tongs which thereby allows the fingeraccommodating areas to be accessibly by users with different fingers ofmultiple sizes and allows the free swinging finger accommodating area(such as pockets 2, 3 of FIG. 1, pockets 308 of tongs 301 of FIG. 5A),and the tab area 222 to perform its maximum for including the user withlarge or extra large hands and fingers, whose fingers can be larger. Tomake tab 222 extra wide, as in FIG. 46, it may be constructed of aplurality of peaks 222 a, 222 b extending out of the palm area of thetongs.

Width and stable allowance tabs 206 of FIG. 47 can have changeable andfunctional FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterial characteristics, such as stretchability, ventability and thecapacity to return to an original state even if subject to stress, suchas being pulled apart widely or having a full contents. Before thealteration of the width, the two ends of tab 206 are the same as a hardyaccommodation connector, wherein both ends perform the same function ofwidth and stability for a particular size allowance usage, when thestate of the FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterial subject to stress, such as being able to return to its originalstate. The FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterial can also have FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material splits, resulting in a desired ventilationability, which can be presented and altered characteristics ofstretchability can be provided as desired.

The set of tongs, with a tab of FIG. 47 connecting finger insertionportions (i.e. pockets, finger accommodating straps and/or fingerstability insertion holes, can all be provided with straight edges.Optionally, the set of tongs, with the tab connecting finger insertionportions can also be optionally provided with injury prevention edges onall or part of the set of tongs, where the tab and pockets do not havesharp paper edges, which can cause paper cuts not only to the user'sfinger's, but, more importantly, to the sensitive mouth and lip area ofthe user's face, which can also be subject to paper cuts. To solve thispotential injury producing result, the exposed edges of the tab andpockets can be provided with non-sharp edges, such as being softserrated, ruffled, rounded edged, radially ribbed, deckled and/or softblunted, to prevent paper cuts to the user's sensitive finger skin andsensitive face area. It is also noted that these injury preventivefeatures can be optionally included on any edges of any of theembodiments of the present invention, where the one or more tabs allowfor a continuous connection between the two opposite fingeraccommodating areas.

The tab 206 can extend in or out of the finger accommodation area, butoptionally which allows for a continuous use of the tongs for aparticular size of a customer user, without the disadvantages of beingtorn and/or stressed with a clumsy fit by the user's hands, and avoidsbeing an unstable, unsuitable fit for another sized user with differentsized fingers and hands. The tab 206, whether or not it has theaforementioned changeable and functional FDA approved and/or foodservice culinary customarily used material characteristics, canoptionally have at least one central ventilation hole or stretchableholes, or both, or an area with a hardier finger/thumb accommodationthat is connectable and that is less resilient than its other familymember, but with more resilience than its other personality, yet havinga less hardy connectability than the other personality. The otherchangeable material characteristics of the tongs' material can be atleast one of the changeable characteristics, for example ventilationability because when the altered embodiment is presented, it physicallyand literally weakens the strength of the other personality of thematerial.

FIG. 48 describes a stretch tab 207, having at least one hole 225 in theconnecting tab 207 and/or finger accommodating area. This hole 225allows the jaws of the set of tongs to stretch out further from eachother, for users with larger hands and to grip larger items of food.Optionally, a plurality of eye holes 225 can be of different height,width, circumference of each other and of the rest of the tab. Eye holes225 can be any size, shape, length, pattern, or fanciful outline shapeof a character, people, places, things, etc. All tabs 207 can be inand/or out of the palm and/or accommodating area of the tongs, or in orout of the top edges of the palm, out of pocket area, top and innerpocket area and/or lower in/out, and/or central area and/or entirein-between area of the tongs.

As shown in FIG. 49, a super stretch connecting tab 226 includes aplurality of holes 227 a, 227 b in the body of the connecting tab 226and/or finger accommodating area of the tongs. These holes 227 a, 227 ballow the jaws of the set of tongs to stretch out even further from eachother. Eye holes 227 a, 227 b can be of a different height, width andcircumference of each other and of the rest of the tab 226. Eye holes227 a and 227 b can be cut of any size, shape, length, pattern,character or design, such as in the outline form a person, place, thing,etc.

All tabs noted above in FIGS. 45-48 can be in and/or out of the palmand/or accommodating area of the set of tongs, and in or out of the topedges of the palm area of the wearer, out of the pocket area of thetongs, or in or out of the top and inner pocket areas and/or lowerin/out, and/or central and/or entire in-between areas of the tongs.

As shown in FIG. 50, tabs can have a crisscross shape, with crossingstraps 228 a, 228 b, in a stability allowance tab 228 for particularsized user, wherein this tab 228 of the crisscross configurationprovides for sturdy connection to the finger accommodating areas atopposite ends of crisscross tab 228, while having large ventilationareas to prevent sweating when in prolonged use and to allow a widthallowance to accommodate different sized fingers of a user. Ventingareas 229 a, 22 b, 229 c and 229 d between the crossing straps 228 a,228 b allow for ventilation and adaptable hand motions.

As shown in FIG. 51, tabs 230 are crisscross stretch tabs for multipleuses, which can be partially stretchable at opposite ends of tab 230,with extra stretch and super stretch capabilities, where this tab 230allows for sturdy connection to finger accommodating areas of therespective jaws, while having large ventilation areas 231 a, 231 b, 231c and 231 d adjacent to crisscrossing straps 232 a, 232 b, to preventsweating when in prolong use and allow a width allowance for a user.Holes 233 further enhance the stretchability of crisscrossed tab 230.

As shown in FIG. 52, the tongs may be separated by tearable perforationsinto two separate finger accommodating tongs (such as also shown inFIGS. 5F, 5G, 5H and SI). The perforated tearable tab 235 allows thetong to have an individual usability to accommodate individualfingers/thumb so that these perforated portions 235 a, 235 can be atleast one perforated and made to be easily torn apart along perforationline 236. Optionally, tear-apart tab portions 235 a, 235 b can bestretched by presenting larger spaces in between perforated areas 235 a,235 b. This version can have stability holes, in which when being usedindividually the user insert at least one thumb/finger through stabilityhole(s) 208 for finger insertion, before subsequent finger insertioninto pockets or straps, in each finger accommodating area.

As shown in FIGS. 53 and 53A, tabs can be theme tabs 240, which can bestretchable, having decorative themes formed by cutouts andinterconnecting protrusions, where at least a portion 241 of the tab 240interacts with another portion 242 for example by having a theme at theupper portion of the tab 240 with a die-cut of any length or shape andthe lower or opposing side of the tab has another theme die-cut. Whentab 240 is used, stretched, for example the lower portion 242 interactswith the upper portion 241, and the die-cut portion allows the entiretab to stretch out further. For example, the lower portion 242 of thetab 240 can be die cut with each hole representing a pond with ripplesof water around a hole, and the upper part 241 of the tong is die cutwith a fish facing down or up so when the tab is stretched out, theupper portion 241 will fold onto the lower portion 242, therefore, thetheme of tab 240 can be the fish diving out of or into water. FIG. 53Ashows elements 241 and 242 converging on each other to form a subsequentimage of the fish in the water. Tab 240 can also be a net. It is knownthat such a theme can be part of a sporting events, story, book, movie,an interaction with, etc. Another example of a theme can be that theentire apparatus is a continuous wing and/or wings with at least anoptional central connection, such as in-between wings connectors and/orout of wings area connectors where the wing connectors arereciprocating, like upper portion 241 and lower portions 242 of tab 240.This apparatus can be presented along with a theme of being on and/orpart of an animal, human, place, thing, etc.

As shown in FIG. 54 and FIG. 54A, a game tab 250 or 250 a, can be, forexample, formed with the upper portion 251 of the tab has eye holes witha target/bull's eye and the bottom portion 252 can have die-cut shapessuch as arrows, which, when the tong is stretched, it will fold in onitself. Therefore an arrow shape can strategically be inserted into thetarget/bull's eye, which is equivalent to a game's point and/or amissing part, which can be filled by another portion to make thoseportions one which can be the answer to a question. Also, as shown inFIG. 54B, any connecting tab can alternately have scratch-off lotterytype features 254 to form a lottery ticket. FIG. 54A is a close-updetail view showing another connector tab 250 a with game features.

As shown in FIG. 55, tongs can be manufactured in combination with anapkin 260. To make tongs with napkins 260, a prepared piece of FDAapproved and/or food service culinary customarily used material isperforated and/or cut into shapes, then worked (glued) and/or ready tobe sealed, folded and the perforated napkin attachment can be folded atthe same time. This attached napkin version can be partial and/or aroundthe entire tong, much like the child-proof version. The napkin can befolded as many times as desired, or in a pattern. The entire combinationtongs and napkin 260 can be folded to accommodate an individual samplepackage. The napkin can be made to be optionally tearable. Anothermethod is for example the tearable napkin is only on one side of tong,instead of partial or all around. A bottom sheet or roll of FDA approvedand/or food service culinary customarily used material is pre workedwith a line of perforations separating the tong and napkin 260,pre-glued and/or ready to be sealed, then another sheet or roll thewidth of the tong is pre worked with perforations which is then laid ontop of the pre worked bottom FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material so that when they come together, there isprovided a finished item it can be folded to accommodate packaging. Touse, the user unfolds, then tears, the connecting perforation in-betweenthe pockets of the tongs to reveal the pocket's respective mouths,although the user can pierce the user's finger/thumb through theconnecting perforation at the pockets mouth therefore making a huggablepocket. The user can also tear away the perforated connected napkin 260to use it as a napkin.

As noted before with respect to FIG. 44, a perforated bendable tab 210can be scored and/or with less space in between the perforations, whichallows the tab 210 to be bendable while still having integrityconnection which can perform more vigorous clamping work, or, as shownin FIG. 44, the two jaws 42 can be separated into single finger pockets,such as shown in FIGS. 5F, 5G, 5H and 5I. The jaws of FIG. 44 can beeither disposable, or if made of plastic, reusable.

As shown in FIG. 56, an ergonomic tab 270 version allows for an offcentered fold in the tab area and this off centered fold allows the handof the user to do less work by allowing the natural shorter thumb into ashort distance moving thumb accommodating area, and a longer finger(s)area to easily function in a more distal finger accommodating area. Inthis version of tab 270, the tab fold line 271 divides the tab 270 intotwo unequal length sections.

As shown in FIG. 57, a slit/cut stretch tab 280 can have slits/cuts atany angles and/or directions. Also, a slit 281 can be part of anotherslit in another direction. This also allow for expandability while stillhaving enough protective FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material to protect hands from getting soiled whileusing the set of tongs with slit tabs 280.

As shown in FIG. 58, a tear resistant tab 290 can prevent a tear fromtraveling because individual finger accommodating area connectors 291,292 are connected separately side by side from each other, with extraauxiliary connectors 293, 294, so if a stress tear starts on one of theconnectors 291 or 292 and rips through fully, there will always beanother auxiliary tab 293 or 294 to maintain the integrity of theconnection of the jaws of the set of tongs.

FIG. 59 shows that a tab 300 can be a puppet tab, wherein die-cut imagesare not fully cut out, leaving the uncut images 301, 302, etc., still onthe tab, so when the tab 300 is stretched or in use, the uncut images301, 302, etc., become movable. These images 301, 302, etc., can beprinted and/or die-cut.

As shown in FIG. 60 and FIG. 61 all versions of tongs can accommodate aclip 350 with a hook 352, in which the hook 352 secures itself to thetong and the hook 352 secures itself on the user's hand/fingers. In FIG.61, the hook 353 can be extended to form a half ring.

As noted above and as shown in FIGS. 18, 19A-19F and 20, multiple tongscan be made from a single sheet of paper and cut to separate each tong.

All cuts and/or peripheral edges or at least a portion of tongs canoptionally have soft, less sharp frayed, zig-zag, uneven, fragmented,torn edges, perforated edges, segmented, straight, ragged, teeth,rounded teeth, ripped, burst, serrated, jaggered, other methods known inthe arts, also to include reference to serrated edges of botany plantsand leaves for edge configurations. This is to prevent sharp edges whennecessary to prevent the user from getting injuries such as paper cuts,it is already known that when materials such as paper brazes, rubsagainst the skin is can cause painful cuts, so there is an urgent needfor the mentioned prevention. Methods such as providing soft, feathereddeckled, deckling edges and/or mechanical deckling edges, willaccomplish frayed, uneven fragmented, torn, jaggered, zig-zag, etc.,edges, whereas known methods in industries such as bindery, steel ruledie cutting and such will accomplish straight, segmented, perforated,teeth, straight teeth, rounded teeth, serrated, rip, cross-cut, angledteeth, etc., edges in which all methods can be a whole. The irregular,non-smooth sealed edges around the set of tongs, with soft, injurypreventive edges with irregular free ends extend beyond a seal parallelto, and in the vicinity of a periphery of a finger(s)/thumb insertionpocket or strap of a set of tongs, to promote tearing.

These soft, injury preventive edges can be formed by folding edges, suchas shown in FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C with two layers, or by folding singlesheets of paper forming tongs as in FIGS. 19D, 19E and 19F. Toaccomplish the soft edges, the folded edges are folded and sealed, butwith a peripheral edge extending beyond the seal, formed of two unbondededges adjacent to each other, but with soft fringed, deckled, serratedor otherwise cut edges that prevent cuts to the fingers, lips or tongueof the user of the tongs. The inner sides of these dual unbonded edgescan be adorned with indicia, such as images or words.

From a single sheet of coated uncoated, textured, layered FDA approvedand/or food service culinary customarily used material, a stability wallis provided by prepping FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material to accommodate a flexible strip which is beadglued or bead sealed onto the single sheet of FDA approved and/or foodservice culinary customarily used material.

Then the single sheet of FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material is folded to make pockets. Now there is formeda pocket with a stability wall from single sheet. Although otherdescribed methods can apply.

Full stability walls are accomplished by presenting two sheets or rollsof FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily used material,prepping, working them it to accommodate each other than the FDAapproved and/or food service culinary customarily used materials of adifferent gauge, to adhere or seal itself onto each other, which is eacha different FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterial. When the tongs are cut, stability walls are presented of atleast one full different wall of different gauge FDA approved and/orfood service culinary customarily used materials, then prepping it toaccommodate each other the FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used materials of a different gauge, to adhere or sealitself onto each other's respective FDA approved and/or food serviceculinary customarily used materials. When the tongs are cut, stabilitywalls are presented of at least one different wall FDA approved and/orfood service culinary customarily used material, with at least one wallin the tongs.

As noted before, the tongs of the present invention optionally includesfinger stability elements, to help keep the jaws of the tongs on thethumb, finger or fingers inserted in the respective jaws. These includeadditional holes in the connecting tab, as in FIG. 5A, or one or moreflexible straps attached to the respective wall of the respective jawsof the tongs, as shown in FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C herein.

Another finger stability element can be a pierceable seal in a pocket. Aheat sealer and/or glue can make channels in the pocket, angled,straight or perforated inside the pocket, so a user inserts a fingerinto the pocket then follows through a channel, thereby bursting theseal on either sides of finger/thumb, which will allow the pocket to hugaround the finger.

The pierceable seal is provided at the mouth of pockets in the form ofat least one line or dotted, perforated seal/glue located at the mouthof a pocket, so a user can burst the seal by inserting a finger throughthe unburst seal, which hugs around the finger or fingers.

A pierceable perforation can be provided around the mouth area in thepockets shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. FIGS. 19, 20 shows a full sealedpocket with an unglue/unsealed perforation around the mouth area in thepocket. This perforation can be burst by piercing the user'sfinger/thumb into the pocket, so that an unburst perforation hugs aroundfinger/thumb.

A full finger stability wall is accomplished by presenting two sheets orrolls of FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterial, prepping and working it, to accommodate each other so that theFDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily used materials ofa different gauge adheres or seals itself onto each other FDA approvedand/or food service culinary customarily used material which is adifferent FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterial, and when the tongs are cut, stability walls are presented withan at least one full different wall of a different gauge FDA approvedand/or food service culinary customarily used material.

A partial stability wall can be provided onto an original FDA approvedand/or food service culinary customarily used material from a singlesheet of coated, uncoated, textured, layered FDA approved and/or foodservice culinary customarily used material, whereby a stability wall isprovided by prepping the FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material of the tongs, to accommodate a flexible stripwhich is bead glued or bead sealed onto the single sheet of FDA approvedand/or food service culinary customarily used material. Then the singlesheet of FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterial is folded to make pockets, with the stability strip is firmlyagainst the wall, and is not a freely suspended, loose ring as in theglove of the Albert patent. As a result, now there is a pocket with astability wall formed from single sheet, although other describedmethods can apply to make the pocket interior have a stability strip.

A layered wall of two or more sheets of FDA approved and/or food serviceculinary customarily used material can be layered/laminated with otherFDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily used materials toform at least one wall.

A stretchable wall is accomplished by gluing/sealing a poly/rubberspandex FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterial with coated/uncoated loosely felted FDA approved and/or foodservice culinary customarily used materials, which are stretchable andwhich create hugging abilities of the wall of the pocket, in combinationwith non-stretchable materials.

Also, a draw string/thread can be sealed/glued in or around the pocketduring the FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterial folding procedure so that a user can wrap the string/thread andsecure it. The thread/string can also be sealed/glued into the pocketwith a length of it provided out of the pocket, so it can be used topull across to rip or cut and reveal the finger insertion opening intothe pocket. The string can also be used to lock the user's finger intofinger accommodation area (such as a jaw or finger accommodating strap).

FIG. 42 shows the option of multiple tabs 205, 206, and/or 207connecting finger accommodating areas, such as pockets 204 a, 204 b ofFIG. 42, or other finger accommodating features, such as straps 309shown in FIG. 5A or straps 203 a in FIG. 41. Also each connected tab canbe used alone as a single connecting tab.

It is noted that there are two kinds of straps used in the presentinvention. First, straps can be open ended finger accommodating straps,like straps 309 shown in FIG. 5A or straps 203 a in FIG. 41. Incontrast, the present invention also optionally includes fingerstability straps, such as straps 76 a shown in FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C,where the straps hug and/or are connected in part or in full, to aninterior wall of the pockets of the set of tongs.

On the other hand, straps can be the variable width and stability one ormore tabs of FIGS. 45, 46, 47 and 48 allow for an optional additionaluser controllability, optional soft ragged edge cut and also allow acustom size fit, by adding a stable snug pocket to pull back when a userspreads a finger and thumb away from each other, for a customized fitregardless of the size of the user's hands. This width and/or stabilityallowance tab 206, 207, 220 or 227 are configured to be whole andcontinuous in strength and performance, rather than have any weakenedand/or altered stages, and can be used singularly, when used by itself,or in combination of multiples.

The clips 350 with hook/rings 352 or 353 can secure onto a tab or pocketof a tongs, then can hook and secure to the user's hand, finger/thumb,etc., and/or the ring can insert onto a finger to be combined with atleast one clip.

The perforated tab 235 version of FIG. 52 can be made with a hole 208 inthe tab 235, with the finger accommodating regions being pockets and/orstraps and/or free finger features, so that when the perforated tab istorn in two or more individual sections 235 a, 235 b along tear line230, a user can insert an individual finger into a hole 208 and theninto an adjacent pocket connected to an end of perforated tab 235. Eachsection of the tongs can separately accommodate at least onethumb/finger of the user.

Another accessory to be added to the tongs, as in FIGS. 7-16, can be anut shell, crab shell cracker where a gripping vice or torque force isrequired.

In an alternate agricultural embodiment, the set of the tongs can alsobe made as non-disposable tongs which are tools which are operable byinsertion of the fingers and thumb into finger or thumb accommodatingjaws, such as pockets or open ended straps. Such tongs can be used inlandscape horticulture or other agricultural uses. The accessory canalso be a textured surface which sticks onto a connecting tab area ofthe set of tongs, between the respective jaws, either as one grippingvice or torque force accessory that is bendable and/or individualgripping vice or torque force accessories that accommodate the thumbside and/or finger side of the tab. By attaching these gripping vice ortorque force accessories and/or clip/hooks onto the central connectingtab of the jaws of the set of tongs, the user has created an area toestablish more pressure per square inch to exert force in tearing food,such as meat or shrimp shells.

In this alternate agricultural embodiment, the gripping vice or torqueforce accessories allow more pressure per square inch, which can beshaped as shears blades or shaped as a beak shape which is sewn, fused,tacked, housed, etc., onto the jaws or connecting tab of the set oftongs These accessories in the hand apparatus can be mechanicallyassisted, and can work off a battery pack and/or AC/DC electrical hookup, where in the power can be portable in a backpack, waist belt, bodybelt, jacket, shoulder straps, and/or in a separate vehicle, etc. Theaccessory can have a sensor button in beak area and/or trigger elsewherethat, when touched by anything or object, it activates the beak, whichcan tear at food like a bird's beak. It can also be activated manuallyand/or have a timer, time clock, counter, communication with a computer,solar panel, etc., to power shears which have the ability to functionwith thumb and fingers and/or only on, fingers automatically and inbetween. These beak accessories can be an extension away from palm,hands, fingers, extension and can have a handle. The blades can becontinuous, partial, bent, etc., to mimic joints of finger, at least twopairs of beak, at least one curved and/or straight knife, so that bladescan be presented at any sides of fingers/thumb anywhere a finger/thumbgoes it has the ability to snip, cut, shear, etc., such as for cuttingand trimming horticultural bushes. An air pneumatic system can also bepresented which consist of housing leather, metals, fabrics, plastics,rubber, etc. It has valves, throttles, drive, grease fitting, bearings,spindles, o rings, gaskets, air hose, compressor, motor, transmission,including known combination in the arts.

All tongs can be made from disposable or non-disposal materials, such assilicone, neoprene, rubber, paper, plastic, fabric, textiles, pulp,wood, textile, petroleum, oil-base, Kevlar, Nomex, Tyvek. Disposabletongs can be made of crepe paper, Bounty Paper Towels™, Scotts™, tissuesand other existing FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarilyused materials known in the art and in existence at this current time ofthe state of the art in paper constructions and can include futureformulations, etc., and/or combinations thereof.

It is further noted that optionally the tongs can be made of ediblepaper or other edible FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material. For example, all additional FDA approvedand/or food service culinary customarily used materials can be at leastone layer and edible and or coated with sugar, flour, doughy liquids,chocolate, wafer, oils, waxes, additives, Rubber, gums, synthetic and ornatural, etc., can be provided to make air moisture proof barrier. Theedible tongs can have any flavors, scents, smells, food, air, nature,spices, meats, fruits, veggies, candy, floral, cheese, wine, liquor,etc. It is already known that edible paper such as rice paper, sugarpaper and others like it already exist. These FDA approved and/or foodservice culinary customarily used materials can be layered and coatedwith digestible and or nutritious coatings such as sugar, salts, syrup,oils, gums, waxes, etc. which can also be used to create textures onfood touching sides and or hand touching sided and these coatings canwork as an method of sealing, making finger accommodating areas of tong.The set of edible tongs can be made of a combination of edible andnon-edible FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterials and coatings, layers, etc., wherein only the edible portion isconsumed. For example, any release liner that is removed can be made ofnon-edible FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterials, as long as the final set of tongs to be used is completelyedible. Then heat, pressure and other method are applied, theapplication, it reactivates edible coatings which can cook, heat, press,bond, etc. FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterials which will assist in making tongs. The trademark Wikipearl™ isedible layer, coating, wrapper FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used material which is described as being held together bycalcium ions and can include particles of chocolate, nuts, seeds, etc.The edible paper can be coated with electro static gel formed byharnessing interaction between natural food particles, nutritive ions,and a poly saccharin. This skin is water and oxygen impenetrable and isinspired by nature itself as inventor and professor David Edwardsexplain although used in refrigerated imagine the possibilities forburger wrappers, packaging, etc. Companies like Wikicells and Monosolare introducing edible packaging which can make litter a thing of thepast such as mixing of starch or co-processing of more than 50% starcheswith synthetic polymers, thermoplastic extruded starch, etc. Base FDAapproved and/or food service culinary customarily used materials and orlayer(s) can be bamboo card, rice paper, starch paper, sugar paper,frosting sheet, plastic, paper, etc., and at least one layer can be notedible this layer can be a protective combination so when peeled awayedible portions can be consumed. Other starches, such as rice, etc., canbe provided in layers, which can be of high to low density FDA approvedand/or food service culinary customarily used materials and can activateat cooler temps and or hotter temps. Because the edible layers, such asstarch, rice, etc., can get slippery when moisture contacts the ediblelayers, then other granular, textures surfaces can be introduced and orimbedded in FDA approved and/or food service culinary customarily usedmaterials, layers, etc., such as nuts, shells, seeds, corn, rice, hardcandy, etc. The aforesaid FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used materials can be used as grip, textures, etc., toprevent slippery surfaces. At lease a layer/portion can be a flavoredchewing gum such as mints, spearmints, cherry, etc., and at least aportion of the tong can be peeled and or broken and given to a friend asa gum, candy, mints, sucker. FDA approved and/or food service culinarycustomarily used materials can be colander to breakdown at hotter orcooler temps. All parts, layers, texture, FDA approved and/or foodservice culinary customarily used materials coatings, etc., can benatural and or synthetic. Edible coating and/or FDA approved and/or foodservice culinary customarily used materials can become an edibleadhesive to assist in making of the set of tongs by manufacturing stepssuch as by cooking, pressing, heating, folding, application of radiofrequency, vibrations, etc. All tongs and all parts or foodaccommodating accessories (such as chop sticks, for example, the crabshell cracker or meat tearer, can be edible and can be made of variousspecific lengths, width for universal fit and or particular size fit.The set of tongs can be combined with commercial displays, offers,prizes, menu pictures, or produced as edible bowl/bucket food, sea food,with thematic packaging, in sealed container, bag, box, etc.,with/without non and nutritional and or digestive materials, inaccordance with FDA label printing regulations. The edible set of tongscan also have displays printed with food safe digestible edible inkprinting logos, etc.

While the aforementioned describes single tabs, each version can have atleast one additional length/layer of tab in between and/or edges of thefinger accommodating area.

The tong's stability clip of FIGS. 60 and 61 can accommodate anywhere onthe tongs and/or can interact with any portion of hands area, and canhave open hook and/or full or partial ring. Tongs with clips or hookscan be made with at least a portion of excess material to assist instabilizing, with, for example, an extra portion off of a main tab,which has a peelable glue area. Each clip can have at least one ring,open or closed, and/or at least one hook and/or at least one clip incombination.

A rigid/semi-rigid tongs can be provided, where at least one side has afinger accommodating area and other side is a free finger in which thetongs have a reopening memory.

Moldable sealers allow for manipulation of finger accommodating areas tobecome contouring rest areas for holding foods. Sealers can be moldedtowards the top, having an inner pocket ability to seal inside thepocket. Sealers can do a fill length seal, perforated seal and/orsegmented seal anywhere in or out of the pocket.

A stationary and/or swiveling finger rest area as in FIGS. 39 and 40 isprovided with the ability to channel, guide, lock, pierce, snap, etc.,for optional securing utensils, sticks, etc., in the hooks or rings. Thestationary and/or swiveling rest can lock on itself and can be and/orhave a neck, body, limbs, etc., and at least a portion of the rest areacan be flat and/or any shape and can have holes. This flat extension canhave a peel able area exposing glue which can stick/attach anywhere onthe tongs. This flat extension can also be glued/sealed, etc., anywherein and/or out and/or in-between layers of the tong/pockets/tabs. Thefinger rest area 206 can allow mobility of utensils, sticks, etc., sothat those instruments to have a slidability and/or the swiveling, whichwill allow tools, sticks, utensils, etc., to swivel away from the tongs.

Other versions of the tong can be made with at least portion/layerswhich are made with heat resistance coating, and/or materials, etc.,such as, for example, parchment silicone paper, Kevlar, Nomex, etc. Alsoin all versions a temperature thermometer sticker can be stuck on and/orpresented in at least a portion of the tong to test the temperature offood items to be held by the tongs.

All tongs can have a stability seal at the mouth and/or into the pocket,and burstable seals can be single spaced or provided with doubledangles, etc.

This allows for fingers to enter the pockets of the tongs while burstingthrough the seal or glue in which the unbursted seals hug around/againstthe user's fingers/thumb.

A breathable finger accommodating areas are provided, to preventsweating fingers, by using a breathable material and/or punching holesin materials before/during making tongs. Punched holes can be any size,pattern, shape, character, people, place, thing, etc.

An automatic dispenser which can make and dispense the tongs or justdispense pre made tongs, is powered by AC/DC to accommodate at least oneroll material and/or sheet, motor, rollers, spindles, gears, rewind,unwind, guided features, vacuums, mother board, computer, programmer,kickers, puller, printer, jet, hot stamp, coin acceptance, credit cardacceptance, tensioned(s), wheels, heating system, molds, rotary dies,timer, on/off button, knife cutting system, glue stamp, steel ruleapplication, dies, clicker, hydraulic, air, pistons, transmissions, canbe a part of known machineries in the arts of binary, printing, etc.

A sheet of disposable flexible material can be physicallycoated/laminated/splattered/texturized/layered heat/air dried extrudedand then winded into rolls, sheets, etc. On that finished flexiblematerial a length and width of flexible or non-flexible material, suchas straps, bands, etc., can be presented to form straps in the pockets.It can be bead glued and/or fully glued, heat sealed, etc., to at leastone pocket wall to make that pocket wall more firm, rigid, stable,sturdy, etc., so that the wall or strap can press against fingers/thumb.Uncoated/coated textured material is prepped worked, folded to make thepockets of the tongs while leaving at least one other wall to be theoriginal flexible material and free of straps allowing the flexiblematerial, to bend, contour, form, etc., around foods, things. Also thesplattered portions of the tong can have different decompositionfeatures, to assist in landfill breakdown.

Optional holes in the central tab can be added during cutting. To makeopen strap(s) finger accommodating regions at least one length and widthof material is used optionally to make tongs with internally mountedflexible straps, bands, straps, etc., which are laid in the fingeraccommodating areas of a sheet of uncoated, coated, textured materialpre glued and/or ready to be heat sealed. Tongs which have incombination pockets and straps can be made of a sheet of material asdescribed, which is pre glued and folded on one side and/or (heatsealed) to make pocket and a separate length(s) of flexible/non flexiblematerial is sealed/glued onto the other side of the sheet in the fingeraccommodating area, to make a combination of a pocket on one side andfinger accommodated straps on the other side, as shown in Figure A.

In an optional embodiment, the pockets are connected by a tab outsidethe palm area to allow universal size accessibility into pockets, whichare coated or uncoated. Pocket adjustment can be made by pulling back onthe connecting tab connecting the two finger accommodating areas.

If the tab is located inside the palm area, the palm is optionallycoated with texturization of a non-permanent adhesive type of material,to allow a more snug custom fit to a particular finger size, and wherethe tab also adds a pocket adjustment ability for that custom size, byallowing pockets to pull back snug on the user's fingers by spreadingthumb and fingers away from each other.

Each version of the tongs can have at least one additional length of aconnector tab in between and/or on the edges of the pockets and/oranywhere in or on the finger accommodating area.

At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the tongs or on all pocketsides, can be made in any shape, cut, design, size, etc., both internaland/or external.

In addition, the aforementioned sets of tongs can optionally be providedin combination with other items. For example, as shown in FIGS. 62-62F,the set of tongs can be provided as part of a sack, bag, cup, Frenchfries serving container, box, tray. etc. Additionally, the connectingtabs can be permanently attached, such as being sewn or adhesivelyattached, or can be temporarily attached by other means, such as by ziplock fasteners, or can be removable by perforations provided anywhere onthe tabs or jaws of the set of tongs. Excess tab material can be tornand or tucked away. The set of tongs, including the jaws and connectingtabs can be printed, textured, layered, knurled, embossed, etc., on anysides. All seams can be continuous, rounded to follow through edges,corners, sides, etc. Stability holes, such as shown in FIG. 5A, can beholes, or can be slits with or without further breakable perforates forinsertable tab and or finger portions. The set of tongs can be made forright and or left hand sides.

In this embodiment shown in FIGS. 62-62F, the tongs can start as atemplate that is foldable with lockable/unlockable insertion tabsinsertable in slits on opposite sides of the template to form hollowpockets or other finger accommodation areas, such as open ended straps,with optional side tabbed portions to enclose the sides of the pocketsthus formed.

Slits can be any length and or angles and accommodate other silts atother lengths and or angle. Locking seam sealer tabs can be optional.Foldable stability features can be perforated, provided with slits, diecuts of the finger tongs can take the shape of fingers and or just bendand hug against fingers. Anywhere on tong can have scores, bends, etc.,that when in use it mimics the bending joints of fingers/thumb, thesebending joints can be at any angles to each other which can contour,hinge around foods, objects and enhance the firm grasp of hands. Entiretongs can be in individual parts and then assembled by someone. WhileFIGS. 62-62F show tongs associated with packaging, as shown in FIG. 62G,it is noted that a tong in general (associated with or withoutpackaging) can have the same foldable stability features, such as beingperforated, provided with slits and foldover insertable tabs and cantake the shape of fingers, or just bend hug against fingers.

For example, FIG. 62 shows template 400 for a food container assembledas a box 401 in FIG. 62B, with tear-off sets of tongs 402 or 403. FIG.62A shows another template 410 with insertion tabs 411, insertable inslits 412, with tear-off tongs 413, 414. FIG. 62C shows tongs 420 with aconverging ratchet end 421 for insertion within a slit, wherein theratchet end enables varying tightness of fits. FIGS. 62D-62F show tongs430 with foldover straps 442 or finger/thumb pockets 431, or withinsertion tabs 441 and slits 442 of tongs 450.

Although the tongs 402 or 403 on the box 401 shows glue or other sealingmethods in an L-shape and pocket folds top to bottom, it can also sealbottom to top and the sealing or gluing can be parallel to each other,and also, the pockets can fold left side to right side or vice versa. Ashortened pocket can be an open strap or straps.

Accommodating areas on either sides of the tongs 402 or 403 (front,back, left, right, etc.,) and/or an accessory accommodating area canhold a toy, prize, food item, etc.

For packing and sheet arrangement to fit more tongs 402, 403 withinsertable tabs/pockets or other finger accommodating areas, such asopen ended lockable straps, can be provided separate or all together.The tongs 402 or 403 can be made of multiple layers and materials, toaccommodate packaging features, where the tongs are associated with foodcontainers. Also, the sheets of tongs can be used to make larger foodcontainers and covers from the multiply attached tongs 402, 403. Forexample the insertable tab has locking T base and locking zip head sothe individual tab/pocket can be incorporated with hole/slit to secure.All edges can have securing slits at any angle, or at any location, toaccommodate a securing/biting point on tong. Insertable tabs can bewider or narrow at top and or bottom to adjust lopsided fitting.Insertable tabs/pockets can be sewn through set of slits/holes whereeither end or at least one end ends up on top of finger accommodatingarea and not the food touching side although an end can end up anywhereinside tong, sides, up, down, etc. To avoid printing on both sides ofmaterial knurling, embossing, stamping, etc., can give a texture and orprovide a logo, etc., on any side. Accommodation areas, and/or areaslocated anywhere on tong 402, 403, can have bends, creases, scores,seams, beaks, etc., to assist in fitting, graspability, a contourforming ability around objects, foods, etc., in any angles and/orpatterns. The insertable tabs can also have slit/holes in which it canbe given as a toy, ring with/without a diamond shape. The tab portionscan be a theme or depiction of fanciful characters. Tongs 402, 403 canhave peel away layers to reveal images, change texture, surfaces, feelusage, etc. As mentioned, the entire tongs 402 or 403 can be provided inparts, which can be assembled to become a functioning tong 402, 403.Furthermore, extensions, tools, features, themes, toys, etc., can beassembled as accessories to the tongs 402 or 403.

FIG. 62G shows a tong finger accommodating area 600, which can be aclosed ended pocket as shown, or an open finger accommodating strap(s)area, with a connected tab 601, as well as a finger stability member 602including a locking tab end 603 attached to an extension body 604,wherein the locking tab end 603 is insertable a slit 605 to tighten themouth or body of the finger accommodating area 600.

FIGS. 62H and 62I show close-up detail views of finger top versions 610,620 of tongs wherein the contour of one or more finger accommodatingareas follows the contour of one or more fingers tip areas of the user.In FIG. 62I, optional edge cuts 622, 624 (as described previously) areshown.

As shown in the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 63, 63A and 63B, in analternate embodiment, the set of tongs 510 can have tight shut mouthstabilizing jaws, such as pockets 511, each having an optional“stabilizing tight body” with a closed mouth shut finger(s)/thumbinsertion opening 512, preferably with an injury preventive soft cutfeature edge 513 in which the soft cut style in addition adds anidentification, providing visual familiarity or recognition to thevisual appearance to the tongs 510. The soft cut edge 513 additionallyallows for an easy tearable edged connecting tab 514, so that each ofthe pair of the individual tight shut-mouth stabilizing pockets 511 canbe independent in use of each other, by tearing apart the tongs intoseparate pockets, in which each individual tight shut-mouth stabilizingpocket 511 can independently stabilize itself on a finger(s)/thumb 515.In this version the tongs 510 have at least one finger/thumbaccommodating area and at least one connecting tab, as well asoptionally at least one additional stability feature beyond the tightshut mouth and/or stabilizing body of each pocket 511 of the tongs 510.

In this embodiment of FIG. 63, a deeper or longer soft cut feature canbe provided anywhere on the connecting tab 514 and be used to tear thetongs 510 in two pieces. This at least one soft cut edge 513 can bedeeper/longer to emphasize a separation point on the tongs 510 for eachtight shut mouthed jaw 511 of the tongs 510, to be used individuallyfreely, and optionally, where one or more of the jaws, preferablypockets 511, can have tight shut mouth stabilizing features, and atleast one pocket can optionally have a front bulge. The front bulge andoptional loose body can be provided for less entrapment of the fingers,and to prevent finger nails or nail accessories from ripping thrupockets when the pockets are under stress.

The jaws 511 of the tight, shut mouthed tongs 510 be made from a singlesheet of material in which the folded material is placed over a set ofconvex or flat dies 500, 501 that have the shape of the jaw's pocket511, in which the respective peripheral edges of the dies have a femaleconcave valley 501 a, which accommodates a male convex foot 500 a on theshroud 502 associated with the dies 500, 501, which can also havemultiple feet. Male die 500 can be attached by fastener 506 (such as ascrew, bolt or nut) to shroud 502.

So, as shown in FIG. 63B, when the folded paper or other material to beused to form tongs 510 is placed over the dies 500, 501, then the convexmale foot 500 a on the shroud 502 pulls the material tight into thefemale concave valley 501 a and seals the pulled tight jaws of the tongsbeing formed between the dies 500, 501. At this point, the mouth of theselected pocket or pockets is rendered tight and flat, and which allowsminimal light to enter each selected pocket, or pockets. So, as shown inFIG. 63, before the use of respective jaws of the tongs, the user has touse both hands, as shown in FIG. 63B to put on the tight shut mouthedjaw or jaws 511 of the tongs 510, in which the held tong jaw 511, heldin one hand 516 of the user, now assists the user to manipulate andwiggle the other hand/finger(s) thumb 515 into the tight shut mouthedfit pocket 511. Then the second pocket 511 (not shown) is held by onehand and the user also manipulates and wiggles the otherhand/finger(s)/thumb into the other pocket 511 of the tongs.

The tensile pull on the material transfers to the inserted finger 515,which forces the material to constrict back on the finger(s)/thumb 515,therefore stabilizing itself on the finger(s)/thumb 515. The peripheraledges 513 of the female concave valley 501 a can have ledges 501 b inany direction, length, section, angles, etc. Furthermore, the ledges 501b can have deeper valleys to further stretch the paper material of thetongs 510. The male convex foot 500 a on the shroud 502 can have acorresponding shape an opposite side of the female die 501, so that whenthe dies 500, 501 come together they lock into each other. Furthermore,the male die 500 can have additional ridges, crests or peaks 500 b whichcan go further into the deeper female valleys 501 b. The male and femaledies 500, 501 can be manipulated to pull more or less, therefore theycan produce pockets 511 with multiple mouth accessibility.

The convex male feet 500 a can be continuous or in pieces and can bechangeable and/or interchangeable on slidable tracks consisting ofdifferent size, height, placement, etc. The male peaks, crest, ridges,500 a, 500 b which accommodate female ledge accommodating valleys 501 a,501 b and can go further into the female deeper valleys 501 a, 501 b.Different size, width, depth of the pocket mouth opening 512 and thetensile pull is determined by the valleys, depth, ledges, deepervalleys, ridges, peaks, and or their placement. The female die 501 canbe continuous or in pieces and can be changeable and/or interchangeableon slidable tracks 503 consisting of depths, valleys, deeper valleys,ledges, etc.

A very important features of the ridges, peaks, etc., of the soft,irregular edges 513 is whether they are single, continuous, wavy, etc.,and that they have the ability to make many different sized pocketopenings 512, and therefore also can make the aforementioned tight shutmouthed entrance 512 of the tongs' pocket 511, for stability with deepervalleys, and be less tight along the length of each pocket 511, with avalley, which gives the finger(s) a free feeling insertion into thepocket 511. This free insertion movement of the finger(s) is in contrastto an entirely tight pocket 511 which is designed to tightly traps thewhole finger 511. The formation of the tongs between the dies 500, 501can also make the pocket 511 less tight on one side of pocket 511 andconversely, being pulled tight on the other side of pocket for a customdeformed pocket, for use when necessary such as with twisted knuckles,bent fingers, illness, birth features, or other physical finger or handdeformities, etc. The pockets 511 can also optionally have an hour glassstability shape.

Another important feature of the female die 501 is that it can maketongs have a frontal bulge for enlarged or meaty finger(s) to nest in.Optionally there can be provided at any strategic area(s), such as sharpparticles 504, air suction area 505, sticky surfaces, micro particles,metal shaving, pins, etc., which can be permanently glued, welded (asweld attachment 507) compounded, screwed, imbedded, etc., and/ortemporarily imbedded in wax into any surface of the tongs to enhancefood graspability. Optionally, these sharp particles 504/air suctionmembers 505 bite the food touching side of the jaw of the tongs,preventing this side from moving or being pulled by the aforementionedpeaks. Therefore, as also shown in FIG. 20E as aforesaid, when the malepeak 500 a goes into the female valley 501 a, more of the loose non-foodtouching side material (pocket back wall) pulls tighter and after theshroud completes in making the seal with sealer 502 a, the end result isa pull tight pocket with a firm back wall and a loose food touchingside. Because of the tight firm back wall, the loose front wall willbulge making a natural nesting area for the larger or fatter meatyfrontal finger/thumb. The loose optional pocket associated with thehuggable mouth of the pocket reduces tight entrapment of the fingers orthumb in the pocket, and prevents finger nails and finger nailaccessories from ripping through pockets when the pockets are understress. This process also eliminates the extra step of dimpletexturizing materials before use. Optionally other stability feature canbe presented.

In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions areused to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessarylimitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrationsdepicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms andillustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scopeof the present invention.

It is further known that other modifications may be made to the presentinvention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in theappended Claims.

I claim:
 1. A triple use finger protecting, environmentally and wildlifefriendly food handling product made from disposable materials and havinga feature to help prevent paper cut injury to the fingers, thumb, mouth,lips and tongue of the user comprising: a set of tongs including pair offinger(s)/thumb accommodating pockets with at least one exterior foodcontact surface on each pocket; each said pocket having a respectivefinger(s) or thumb accommodating interior, said pockets connected by atleast one connecting tab, at least a portion of at least one tearableseal closing a mouth entrance of said at least one pocket of said pairof finger(s)/thumb accommodating pockets; said pocket having aperforation line adjacent to said tearable seal, said perforation linealso closing said mouth entrance of said at least one pocket; whereinfurther an inserted finger(s) or thumb of the user pierces saidperforation line to open at least a portion of said interior of said atleast one pocket, wherein an area around said pierced perforation lineat said mouth entrance of said pocket hugs and stabilizes thefinger(s)/thumb in one of said pockets with at least one finger(s)accommodating area, wherein said pockets of said set of tongs arepierceable by the finger(s) or thumb at the opening mouth entrance ofthe pockets of the jaws to pierce at least a portion of the pocket, toreveal at least said portion of the opening of the pocket, whereby thepartially open opening hugs around the finger(s) or thumb, or if fullyopen, fully reveals the pocket interior; further comprising a peripheraledge of each of said pockets and said connecting tab includes anunbonded free edge beyond a peripheral sealed edge, wherein respectivesoft, irregular, non-smooth sealed peripheral edges are provided aroundthe edges of the set of tongs, with said soft, injury preventive edgeshaving irregular free ends extending beyond a seal parallel to, and inthe vicinity of a periphery of a finger(s)/thumb insertion pocket orstrap of a set of tongs, and/or said connecting tab, to promote tearingat the seal to make said soft, irregular, non-smooth sealed peripheraledges, and thereby providing a an injury preventive soft, irregularnon-smooth sealed finished peripheral edge to prevent paper cuts on thefingers, thumb or mouth of the user; wherein after use, said tearableperipheral edges enable the user to tear the used set of tongs beforedisposal, enabling the user to place the respective food contactsurfaces of both tongs against each other, so that both tongs can bejointly torn into small pieces for environmentally friendly disposalwhile the user's fingers only contact the clean outer side of the tongs.2. The triple use finger protecting, environmentally and wildlifefriendly food handling product of claim 1 wherein a further fingerstability member is provided inside of each said pocket to stabilize thefinger(s) or thumb of the user within each said respective pocket. 3.The triple use finger protecting, environmentally and wildlife friendlyfood handling product of claim 1 wherein said soft edged pocket isprovided with at least one in situ texturized region.
 4. The triple usefinger protecting, environmentally and wildlife friendly food handlingproduct as in claim 1 further comprising said pocket is an open strap(s)tong with at least one finger(s) accommodating area connected to atleast one connecting tab, said open strap accommodating a finger(s) orthumb therethrough.
 5. The triple use finger protecting, environmentallyand wildlife friendly food handling product as in claim 1 wherein saidmaterial is edible.
 6. The triple use finger protecting environmentallyand wildlife friendly food handling product as in claim 1 wherein saidmaterial is edible.
 7. A triple use finger protecting, environmentallyand wildlife friendly food handling product comprising: a set of tongsincluding a pair of open finger/thumb accommodating pockets joined by acentral connecting tab, said set of tongs produced by at least one sheetof folded paper, each said pocket being selected from the groupconsisting of: a) at least one of an open tong with an open finger orthumb insertion mouth end and an opposite closed distal end or, b) anopen tong with an open finger or thumb insertion mouth end and anopposite open distal end; said set of tongs further having a burstableseal located within an interior of each said pocket, said burstable sealbonding a front and a back wall of said pocket to create a fingerstability area within an interior of said pocket, said burstable sealbeing burstable by insertion of the user's finger(s) or thumbtherethrough, to grip and stabilize said finger(s) or thumb within eachsaid respective pocket of said set of tongs, wherein said unburstportion of said burstable seal hugs around the finger(s) or thumb of theuser, wherein said connecting tab is selected from the group consistingof being stretchable; or having multiple length portions, or is vented,or is provided with at least one additional connecting tab, or is madeof two intersecting portions.
 8. A triple use finger protecting,environmentally and wildlife friendly food handling product made fromdisposable materials and having a feature to help prevent paper cutinjury to the fingers, thumb, mouth, lips and tongue of the usercomprising: a set of tongs including pair of finger(s)/thumbaccommodating pockets with at least one exterior food contact surface oneach pocket; each said pocket having a respective finger(s) or thumbaccommodating interior, said pockets connected by at least oneconnecting tab; wherein said tongs are formed from at least one foldedsheet of flexible material folded over a set of female dies pressed by aset of males dies to form finger stability crimped open threedimensional finger and thumb portions, said folded materials and saiddies being provided under a shroud providing a sealing of said tongs;said die crimped, folded finger and thumb portions forming a pair oftight at least partially shut mouth huggable stabilizing pockets, eachsaid pocket having a tight at least partially shut mouth openingstabilizing around said finger(s) or thumb; in which the usermanipulates and wiggles the finger(s) or thumb of one hand into saidtight shut mouthed pocket while holding said pocket with the other hand.9. The triple use finger protecting, environmentally and wildlifefriendly food handling product as in claim 8, wherein said tongs includea lottery type surface region on at least a portion thereof to form alottery ticket.
 10. The triple use finger protecting, environmentallyand wildlife friendly food handling product as in claim 8 wherein saidproduct has a tearable separation point so that each pocket can be usedindividually freely.
 11. The triple use finger protecting,environmentally and wildlife friendly food handling device of claim 8wherein at least one pocket has tight features to tighten at leastaround respective fingers or thumb of the user.
 12. The triple usefinger protecting, environmentally friendly food handling product ofclaim 8 wherein one side of each pocket bulges outward.
 13. The tripleuse finger protecting, environmentally friendly food handling product ofclaim 8 wherein said material is edible.
 14. The triple use fingerprotecting, environmentally friendly food handling product of claim 8wherein a peripheral edge of each of said pockets and said connectingtab includes an unbonded free edge beyond a peripheral sealed edge,wherein respective soft, irregular, non-smooth sealed peripheral edgesare provided around the edges of the set of tongs, with said soft,injury preventive edges having irregular free ends extending beyond aseal parallel to, and in the vicinity of a periphery of afinger(s)/thumb insertion pocket or strap of a set of tongs, and/or saidconnecting tab, to promote tearing at the seal to make said soft,irregular, non-smooth sealed peripheral edges, and thereby providing aan injury preventive soft, irregular non-smooth sealed finishedperipheral edge to prevent paper cuts on the fingers, thumb or mouth ofthe user; wherein after use, said tearable peripheral edges enable theuser to tear the used set of tongs before disposal, enabling the user toplace the respective food contact surfaces of both tongs against eachother, so that both tongs can be jointly torn into small pieces forenvironmentally friendly disposal while the user's fingers only contactthe clean outer side of the tongs; wherein after use, respectivetearable peripheral edges enable the user to tear the used set of tongsbefore disposal, enabling the user to place the respective food contactsurfaces of both tongs against each other, so that both tongs can bejointly torn into small pieces for environmentally friendly disposalwhile the user's fingers only contact the clean outer side of the tongs.15. A food handling product comprising: a set of tear off tongsincluding pair of finger(s)/thumb accommodating pockets with at leastone exterior food contact surface on each pocket; each said pockethaving respective finger(s) or thumb accommodating interior, saidpockets connected by at least one connecting tab, each said pocket beingselected from the group consisting of: a) at least one of an open tongwith an open finger or thumb insertion mouth end and an opposite closeddistal end or, b) an open tong with an open finger or thumb insertionmouth end and an opposite open distal end; wherein said tongs areprovided attached onto a food package, wherein said tongs are attachedto said food package by a perforatable common edge for tear offseparation of the tongs from the food package for use in eating the foodcontained within the food package, wherein said tear off sets of tongsare selected from the group consisting essentially of a set of ready touse tongs or a set of tongs formed by folding the portions thereof andconnecting them with lockable/unlockable insertion tabs insertable inslits in the set of tongs formed from the torn off portion of the foodcontainer template.
 16. The food handling product as in claim 15,wherein said tear-off tongs are provided with closed ended pocketsand/or open finger accommodating straps, wherein the user can choosewhether to use either a full pocket or an open ended fingeraccommodating strap for insertion of the thumb or finger(s) therein. 17.The food handling product as in claim 15, wherein said pockets furtherhaving components selected from the group consisting essentially of atleast one finger stability area formed to press and constrict thefingers in place or at least one textured surface component.
 18. Thefood handling product as in claim 15, wherein said disposable materialsis edible.
 19. The food handling product as in claim 15 wherein saidtongs of said package include a lottery type surface region on at leasta portion thereof to form a lottery ticket.
 20. The food handlingproduct as in claim 15 wherein said tongs of said package is made ofmultiple layers of different gauge materials, at least a part of bothlayers being exposed to the food product being grabbed.
 21. The foodhandling product as in claim 20 wherein at least one of said layersbeing textured.
 22. The food handling product as in claim 15 whereinsaid tongs have at least one score for bending or folding.
 23. A tripleuse finger protecting, environmentally and wildlife friendly foodhandling product made from disposable materials and having a feature tohelp prevent paper cut injury to the fingers, thumb, mouth, lips andtongue of the user comprising: a set of tongs including pair offinger(s)/thumb accommodating pockets with at least one exterior foodcontact surface on each pocket; each said pocket having a respectivefinger(s) or thumb accommodating interior, said pockets connected by atleast one connecting tab, at least a portion of at least one tearableseal closing a mouth entrance of said at least one pocket of said pairof finger(s)/thumb accommodating pockets; said pocket having aperforation line adjacent to said tearable seal, said perforation linealso closing said mouth entrance of said at least one pocket; whereinfurther an inserted finger(s) or thumb of the user pierces saidperforation line to open at least a portion of said interior of said atleast one pocket, wherein an area around said pierced perforation lineat said mouth entrance of said pocket hugs and stabilizes thefinger(s)/thumb in one of said pockets with at least one finger(s)accommodating area, wherein said pockets of said set of tongs arepierceable by the finger(s) or thumb at the opening mouth entrance ofthe pockets of the jaws to pierce at least a portion of the pocket, toreveal at least said portion of the opening of the pocket, whereby thepartially open opening hugs around the finger(s) or thumb, or if fullyopen, fully reveals the pocket interior; further comprising a peripheraledge of each of said pockets and said connecting tab includes anunbonded free edge beyond a peripheral sealed edge, wherein respectivesoft, irregular, non-smooth sealed peripheral edges are provided aroundthe edges of the set of tongs, with said soft, injury preventive edgeshaving irregular free ends extending beyond a seal parallel to, and inthe vicinity of a periphery of a finger(s)/thumb insertion pocket orstrap of a set of tongs, and/or said connecting tab, to promote tearingat the seal to make said soft, irregular, non-smooth sealed peripheraledges, and thereby providing an injury preventive soft, irregularnon-smooth sealed finished peripheral edge to prevent paper cuts on thefingers, thumb or mouth of the user; wherein after use, said tearableperipheral edges enable the user to tear the used set of tongs beforedisposal, enabling the user to place the respective food contactsurfaces of both tongs against each other, so that both tongs can bejointly torn into small pieces for environmentally friendly disposalwhile the user's fingers only contact the clean outer side of the tongs.24. A triple use finger protecting, environmentally and wildlifefriendly food handling product made from suitable disposable materialsand having a feature to help prevent paper cut injury to the fingers,thumb, mouth, lips and tongue of the user comprising: a set of tongsincluding pair of finger(s)/thumb accommodating pockets with at leastone exterior food contact surface on each pocket; each said pockethaving a respective finger(s) or thumb accommodating interior, saidpockets connected by at least one connecting tab, each said pocket beingselected from the group consisting of: a) at least one of an open tongwith an open finger or thumb insertion mouth end and an opposite closeddistal end or, b) an open tong with an open finger or thumb insertionmouth end and an opposite open distal end; a peripheral edge of each ofsaid pockets and said connecting tab includes an unbonded free edgebeyond a peripheral sealed edge, wherein respective soft, irregular,non-smooth sealed peripheral edges are provided around the edges of theset of tongs, with said soft, injury preventive edges having irregularfree ends extending beyond a seal parallel to, and in the vicinity of aperiphery of a finger(s)/thumb insertion pocket or strap of a set oftongs, and/or said connecting tab, to promote tearing at the seal tomake said soft, irregular, non-smooth sealed peripheral edges, andthereby providing a an injury preventive soft, irregular non-smoothsealed finished peripheral edge to prevent paper cuts on the fingers,thumb or mouth of the user; wherein after use, said tearable peripheraledges enable the user to tear the used set of tongs before disposal,enabling the user to place the respective food contact surfaces of bothtongs against each other, so that both tongs can be jointly torn intosmall pieces for environmentally friendly disposal while the user'sfingers only contact the clean outer side of the tongs.
 25. The tripleuse finger protecting, environmentally and wildlife friendly foodhandling product as in claim 24 wherein said product has a tearableseparation point so that each separate tong can be used individuallyfreely and separated from the other tong of said set of tongs, whereinsaid at least one pocket having said partially open opening hugging saidfinger(s) or thumb, forms a huggable pocket, allowing for independentpocket stability in which said free end cut softened edged pocket allowsfor easy tab separation, so that said pockets may be cut free from saidconnecting tab.
 26. The triple use finger protecting, environmentallyand wildlife friendly food handling tongs as in claim 24, wherein whensaid connecting tab is torn to separate each pocket from the other saidpocket, a portion of said connecting tab remains to be foldable over aportion of each respective pocket to hide a food contaminated portion ofa respective separated pocket, to provide a clean area to hold saidrespective pocket.
 27. A triple use finger protecting, environmentallyand wildlife friendly food handling product comprising: a set of tongsincluding a pair of open finger/thumb accommodating pockets joined by acentral connecting tab, said set of tongs produced by at least one sheetof folded paper, each said pocket being selected from the groupconsisting of: a) at least one of an open tong with an open finger orthumb insertion mouth end and an opposite closed distal end or, b) anopen tong with an open finger or thumb insertion mouth end and anopposite open distal end; said set of tongs further having a burstableseal located within an interior of each said pocket, said burstable sealbonding a front and a back wall of said pocket to create a fingerstability area within an interior of said pocket, said burstable sealbeing burstable by insertion of the user's finger(s) or thumbtherethrough, to grip and stabilize said finger(s) or thumb within eachsaid respective pocket of said set of tongs, wherein said unburstportion of said burstable seal hugs around the finger(s) or thumb of theuser; further comprising a peripheral edge of each of said pockets andsaid connecting tab includes an unbonded free edge beyond a peripheralsealed edge, wherein respective soft, irregular, non-smooth sealedperipheral edges are provided around the edges of the set of tongs, withsaid soft, injury preventive edges having irregular free ends extendingbeyond a seal parallel to, and in the vicinity of a periphery of afinger(s)/thumb insertion pocket or strap of a set of tongs, and/or saidconnecting tab, to promote tearing at the seal to make said soft,irregular, non-smooth sealed peripheral edges, and thereby providing aan injury preventive soft, irregular non-smooth sealed finishedperipheral edge to prevent paper cuts on the fingers, thumb or mouth ofthe user; wherein after use, said tearable peripheral edges enable theuser to tear the used set of tongs before disposal, enabling the user toplace the respective food contact surfaces of both tongs against eachother, so that both tongs can be jointly torn into small pieces forenvironmentally friendly disposal while the user's fingers only contactthe clean outer side of the tongs.
 28. The triple use finger protectingenvironmentally and wildlife friendly food handling product as in claim27 wherein said material is edible.
 29. A triple use finger protecting,environmentally and wildlife friendly food handling product made fromdisposable materials and having a feature to help prevent paper cutinjury to the fingers, thumb, mouth, lips and tongue of the usercomprising: a set of tongs including pair of finger(s)/thumbaccommodating pockets with at least one exterior food contact surface oneach pocket; each said pocket having a respective finger(s) or thumbaccommodating interior, said pockets connected by at least oneconnecting tab, at least a portion of at least one tearable seal closinga mouth entrance of said at least one pocket of said pair offinger(s)/thumb accommodating pockets; said pocket having a perforationline adjacent to said tearable seal, said perforation line also closingsaid mouth entrance of said at least one pocket; wherein further aninserted finger(s) or thumb of the user pierces said perforation line toopen at least a portion of said interior of said at least one pocket,wherein an area around said pierced perforation line at said mouthentrance of said pocket hugs and stabilizes the finger(s)/thumb in oneof said pockets with at least one finger(s) accommodating area, whereinsaid pockets of said set of tongs are pierceable by the finger(s) orthumb at the opening mouth entrance of the pockets of the jaws to pierceat least a portion of the pocket, to reveal at least said portion of theopening of the pocket, whereby the partially open opening hugs aroundthe finger(s) or thumb, or if fully open, fully reveals the pocketinterior; wherein said connecting tab is selected from the groupconsisting of being stretchable; or having multiple length portions, oris vented, or is provided with at least one additional connecting tab,or is made of two intersecting portions.